Naming local roads? M.D. to draft policy which could give residents say on naming roadways

The M.D. of Bonnyville will create a policy that could allow residents to name roads. 

Councillor Dana Swigart submitted a notice of motion to discuss the idea at the Jan. 28 council. 

Without any firm ideas, it’s following the idea that other municipalities get input from residents to throw historical nods to people or landmarks by naming roads. 

It wouldn’t change the legal names of Range Roads and Township Roads, but instead add local flavour. 

“You’d have a short section of a road that you’d call it whatever, we’ve got Dupre road already, but a short section of the road that somebody says, ‘Well, I’d like to have this name whatever, after somebody important,’” said Swigart during the meeting. 

“You put up a road sign, but you’re not going to address that. So nothing changes on that road, it’s still whatever road number and township number it is.”

The example was used that the County of St. Paul has some roads named, as well as colloquial names for M.D. roads.

The Town of Bonnyville as well something similar, with a naming committee for ball diamonds or local parks.

Council agreed to direct administration to come up with the policy and how the process would work.