The Town of Rocky Mountain House will be utilizing provincial grant money to expedite some much-needed paving work on the east side of town.
Funds for the work to improve a stretch of 44a St. just east of Hwy. 11 and a nearby intersection was already approved in the Town’s 2024 capital project budget, but Town officials say there are other roads that need attention sooner rather than later.
Proposed resurfacing work would take place on a stretch of 47 Ave. just east of Hwy. 11, as well as the intersections of 49 Ave. & 43 St., and 52 Ave. and 43 St.
While certain intersections would be improved, Town officials say the roads around them are in good enough shape they can be maintained by the Town with routine crack sealing and pothole filling.
Officials say a larger stretch of 43 St. was planned for improvement sometime between 2025-28. However, Town officials say if it can get the work done earlier on area intersections, that work could also be expedited.
On July 16, 2024, council approved the $375,800 Industrial Park Upgrade initiative with funds being allocated from grants and municipal road reserves.
- $244,000 from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI)
- $119,000 from the Government of Alberta’s Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF)
- $62,800 from Town of Rocky Mountain House road reserves
“I feel for the business owners along those stretches,” says Rob Shanks, director of engineering & operations for the Town of Rocky Mountain House. “What we’ve chosen in red is by far the worst intersections.”
Rocky Mountain House roads marked for improvement, July 16, 2024 (Town of Rocky Mountain House)
Mayor Debbie Baich pointed out the importance of improving the road, as it carries much heavy traffic such as school busses from Wild Rose School Division, equipment from the Clearwater County office, and countless trucks from area industrial businesses.
Officials say moving the projects up to 2024 will reduce projects listed in the Town’s 10-year capital plan accordingly.
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