Westside gravel road would improve emergency vehicle response time

By Lethbridge Herald on November 20, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new gravel road which would result in quicker response times from fire crews for those living in Copperwood is one step closer to being approved, after the first Economic and Finance Special Policy Committee (SPC) voted unanimously in favour during its first meeting of the new council term.

The proposed road would run along Great Bear Blvd. West to Metis Trail, with funding of $315,000 from the Major Capitals Projects Reserve.

It is estimated that the road would shorten the route from the station to the traffic circle at Metis Trail and Temple Blvd by almost two minutes, and from the station to the traffic circle at the north end of Metis trail by about three-and-a-half minutes.

Wes Borland, deputy fire chief of Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, told the committee every second matters when it comes to emergencies.

“When speaking structure fire, cardiac arrest, things like that the time does matter, seconds matter, and this would increase our performance.”

Due to expected developments within the next three to five years, the gravel road would be only temporary. Paving would be put into future development projects for the city and the developer would pay for it.

The road will only be intended for emergency crew access with signage along the road to discourage the public from using the road.

Councillor Al Beeber said he believes the road will be well worth the cost to improve response times of Fire EMS.

“It’s clear, at least to me anyway, that this could be a valuable tol for the fire department and emergency services to improve response times, which we’ve heard is important, they are lagging behind national standards for response times.”

The proposal will be brought to a future city council meeting for a final decision.

In other news, Councillor Jen Schmidt-Rempel was announced as vice-chair of the Economic and Finance SPC by acclamation.