The faces of those who have lost their lives on Highway 63 are front and centre in a Fort McMurray newspaper this weekend. Fort McMurray Today has printed its first ever Sunday edition. Falling on the sixth month and third day (6/3), "Voices for Highway 63" is dedicated to "each and every victim" of the notorious stretch of Alberta highway.
The dangers of Highway 63 were thrust back into the spotlight on April 27th, when seven people, along with an unborn child, were killed in a fiery head-on crash.
"There was a great sense of mourning in the community and, at the same time, a lot of frustration that our concerns weren't being heard," explains Jessica McIntosh, managing editor of the paper.
She says that more than 200 messages were sent in soon after the paper put out the call asking for people's stories about Highway 63.
"In one sense we weren't surprised because we've been hearing about this for years. But in another sense, we were surprised it came from all over Canada."
In the special edition, family members of many victims write about the loved ones they've lost on the highway. One of the entries is by the family of Courtney Penney, the pregnant woman who died in the April 27th crash. Her parents write about the last time they spoke with their daughter, and the experience of once driving on the highway where she was killed. They hope that her death will not be in vain.
"Our daughter's life was about family, faith, helping others and good times. May the results of this accident serve a purpose to help other mothers, fathers, children, wives, husbands, emergency response personnel and workers of all trades who travel Highway 63. As I wipe tears from my keyboard, we continue to grieve and pray for a successful outcome to Highway 63."
Other entries which fill the issue come from those who drive schools buses or travel for medical treatments on the road, as well as workers who fear they may never see their family again when they drive the highway.
Their words add to a chorus of people calling for change. Fort McMurray resident Sobhi Hame wanted to put those calls into action when he started a petition to twin the highway shortly after April's fatal crash. The petition has now garnered more than 21,000 signatures and counting.
It's been six years since the province committed to the twinning project. But so far, only 33 kilometres have actually been completed. Since the April 27th crash, the Redford government has taken steps to expedite the project. A copy of Sunday's Fort McMurray Today is being sent to the Alberta Legislature.
You can see and read the special edition in our photo gallery.
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News
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