A business owner located at 124 Street and 102 Avenue, known as High Street, has expressed serious concerns about the impact of ongoing road construction on local commerce. The area has become what some are calling the 'Edmonton Bermuda Triangle' (EBT), a confusing network of construction zones on Jasper Avenue, 102 Avenue west, and 104 Avenue east and west, with limited access from the east on 102 Avenue.
Significant Drop in Visitors
According to the owner, the business has lost approximately 40% of its regular visitors due to the construction morass. 'My fervent wish is that they have not disappeared never to be seen again,' the owner stated, hoping that customers are healthy and simply avoiding the area rather than lost permanently. The owner questioned whether city planners considered how potential visitors would navigate the confusion safely.
Concerns About Planning and Safety
The business owner wondered if the authorities imagined visitors slowly crawling through the EBT would cheer its existence, and whether efforts are being made to eliminate this strange anomaly. 'How many can make it through without disappearing?' the owner asked, wishing all travelers a safe journey and expressing gratitude when they emerge intact. Sitting on the patio as dusk descends, the owner clings to hope that the dreaded EBT will soon disappear.
Separate Political Commentary
In a separate letter, a reader commented on Alberta separatists, arguing they should form their own party and run in elections rather than trying to take over the United Conservative Party (UCP), which has committed to staying in Canada. Citing a May 26 Ipsos Reid poll showing only 40% of UCP members are separatists, the reader suggested non-separatists might vote NDP in the absence of a viable conservative alternative.
Letter Submission Guidelines
The newspaper welcomes letters to the editor, preferring a maximum of 150 words. Letters must include a first and last name (or two initials and a last name), address, and daytime phone number. All letters are subject to editing. Submissions can be emailed to letters@edmontonjournal.com.
