Athabasca County is providing an update on Municipal Stimulus Funding to make residents aware of project costs and funding received to date.
Since being announced in the summer of 2020, Athabasca County has received stimulus grant funding from the province to complete needed infrastructure projects. Municipalities were asked to submit a list of ‘shovel ready’ projects to be reviewed by the provincial government. The goal of the funding was to help improve infrastructure while stimulating the economy and employing local people.
There were four projects approved for the stimulus funding (see more details below):
Division 3 – Road Rebuild – Township Road 655.5 to Range Road 185 (0.5 miles)
Division 3 – Road Rebuild – Range Road 204 from Hwy. 63 (1 mile)
Division 6 – Shoulder Pull/Soil Stabilization Treatment – Plamondon Connector – Hwy. 63 to Range Road 170, (5 miles)
Division 9 – Erosion Control – Township Road 684
“The stimulus funding will help us move forward with a number of projects in 2021,” said Reeve Larry Armfelt. “We are grateful for the work done by MLA Laila Goodridge and MLA Glenn van Dijken, with the endorsement of the provincial government, in making this funding possible during uncertain financial times.”
The funding will form the basis of Athabasca County’s 2021 construction projects and will be supplemented by additional funding provided by municipality.
“To date, Athabasca County has received full funding for three out of four projects and we will be taking the remainder of the funds from municipal reserves,” says Norm De Wet, Director of Infrastructure. “There is always a lot of work to do and completing these projects will help improve road infrastructure for years to come.”
Project Values and Funding Updates as of November 23, 2020:
Division 3 – Road Rebuild – Township Road 655.5 from Range Road 185 (0.5 miles)
(Approx. project value, $112,500. Funding received, $112,500) – Twp. Rd 655.5 is an important route off Hwy. 63 traveling east. The roadway supports agricultural, commercial and residential traffic. The suggested project is a full reconstruction that will allow for the complete rebuild of an eight (8) meter wide road surface, 3:1 side slopes, and one meter of road grade constructed of high quality fill material. The roadway will be completed with gravel to ensure a safe and solid driving surface.
Division 3 – Road Rebuild – Range Road 204 from Hwy 663 (1 mile)
(Approx. project value $225,000. Funding received, $225,000) – Range Road 204 connects Highway 663 and Highway 55. The roadway supports significant agricultural and other commercial activity. The roadway requires a full reconstruction that will allow for the complete rebuild of an eight meter road surface, 3:1 side slopes, and one meter of road grade constructed of high quality fill material. The roadway is to be completed with gravel to ensure a safe and solid driving surface.
Division 6 – Shoulder Pull/Soil Stabilization Treatment – Plamondon Connector – Hwy. 63 to Rge. Rd 170 (5 miles)
(Approx. project value $285,000. Funding received, $285,000) – The Plamondon connector is an essential transportation corridor between Athabasca County and Lac La Biche County. To improve the usability of this connector, this road requires a shoulder pull that will redefine, reshape and repack the road. With the completion of the shoulder pull a soil stabilization treatment will be applied into the road surface, creating a more compact base.
Division 9 – Erosion Control – Township Road 684
(Approx. project Value, $500,000. Funding received, $312,881) – Twp. Rd 684 has significant erosion issues that are impacting the integrity of the roadway and therefore its continued use by traffic. A completed engineering assessment indicates an existing 900mm culvert be upgraded to a 1350mm culvert. Bioengineering and channel regrading are also required. The suggested construction will ensure that the integrity of the roadway is maintained for long-term sustainable use by commercial, residential and agricultural traffic.
Please Note: All approved projects will follow the requirements of the North West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA) and will be awarded to a successful bidding contractor.
