The County of Stettler No. 6 has initiated a formal process to permanently close a segment of Gibson Avenue in Alberta and transfer the land to a neighbouring private property owner. The closure concerns a small stretch of road allowance (SW 34-38-22-4) located roughly between the hamlets of Erskine and Nevis that the county describes as low-traffic and of limited public utility.
The county has scheduled a public hearing for Bylaw 1758-26 on March 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. to hear representations about removing public access to this area. If the bylaw is approved and receives provincial sign-off, the land would be transferred to the neighbouring owner and the county would no longer be responsible for maintaining the road.
This move comes as local leaders look for ways to reduce road maintenance costs by closing road allowances that are not necessary for the public. According to a local news outlet, the county signalled this focus during budget discussions in early February 2026.
To close the road and transfer title, the county must follow the process set out in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and provincial road-closure procedures. That process requires advertising and a public hearing, ensuring no resident is left without legal access to their property (MGA s.22), and obtaining approval from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (the Minister of Transportation) before title can be registered.
The county has taken similar steps before. In August 2024 Stettler County approved a group of bylaws that included road-closure measures in the hamlet of Gadsby that involved closing unused road allowances to facilitate new residential lots.
