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Q & A on Lac La Biche intersection issue

Questions and answers involved with council’s recent discussions on local development, infrastructure and process
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Questions and answers on the new gas station and intersection issue on Highway 55 west of Lac La Biche

Editor's Note — In putting together the recent article on a new gas station along Highway 55 west of the Lac La Biche hamlet, there are aspects where our readers asked for more clarification. The issue, which has triggered further discussions about multi-million dollar expenses to upgrade road infrastructure alongside new development corridors, is complex and has already triggered reactions based on perceived optics.

Along with the initial article and a followup article explaining  council's rules about conflict of interest, here are questions and answers collected during the overall data and research collection.

 

Question: Did the gas station project and the resulting news that Alberta Transportation requires upgrades to the adjacent intersection totalling at least $800,000 catch Lac La Biche County councillors off-guard?

Answer: It would appear so.  

Lac La Biche County councillor Charlyn Moore: "I've been sitting here for five years and this conversation has not really come forward ... for this to come to us in a manner that is like, 'Here, there's a new development coming that we didn't know about or approve.' and now we are being told we have to put money into an intersection —  I think someone is going to need to explain a little harder to me about why this came, when it came, and who made the first call ... I'm just really hard time swallowing the $800,000 right now."

 

Question:  Can a consultant work for the developer and the municipality?

Answer: Sometimes, sure.

"It's not unusual," says Lac La Biche County's Associate CAO of Infrastructure Services Brian Shapka. "There are efficiencies because you are sharing information."

Shapka said the consultant working for the developers planning the gas station was also hired by Lac La Biche County to provide updated Traffic Impact Assessment for the intersection adjacent to the proposed gas station and preliminary cost estimates to reconstruct the intersection for long-term needs.

 

Question: Can development continue on the gas station or within the industrial subdivision without an intersection upgrade?

Answer: Yes, and no — depending on who was asked. 

NoBrian Shapka: "Alberta Transportation has indicated that the intersection is already sub-standard to the current requirements and that they will not approve any further development permits until it is upgraded," he said. "There have been verbal notifications that indicate that no further development will be allowed. Any new development within 400 metres of provincial highway requires Alberta Transportation’s approval."

Possibly — Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, who is also the developer of the project: "We are still waiting for a response back from Alberta Transportation to see what level my business is going to be impacted, if at all."

 

Question: How did the existing development — a Castle Building Supplies business—  and future plans for a gas station addition get approval, if now there is a concern about the intersection?

Answer: It wasn't a new build

Paul Reutov: "I've been dealing with Alberta Transportation since 2019... I bought the place (a former office building and warehouse) from (Lac La Biche) Transport in 2017, so at that time Alberta Transportation approved it because it was an existing building, existing shop, etc ... So there was nothing new being built, it was just a renovation so to speak, a major renovation.  So it was passed."

 

Question: Has there already been money spent on engineering work for the intersection, since the new project has been announced.

Answer: No

Brian Shapka: "No, there has not been any engineering done other than to determine what the existing standard is and what is required as upgrades. Detailed engineering would be required if a decision was made to construct the intersection to the standards required if any further development were to occur in any of the subdivisions that this intersection serves."

 

Question: Is there a Stop Work Order, or any outstanding fines relating to permits on the project?

Answer(s):  No  and No, says Shapka.

 

Question: Could other intersections be in similar need of upgrades?

Answer: Yes.

"There is potential concern for any of the other existing intersections between Sentinel Park and the Highway 55 bypass road if there is any significant development in the area," says Shapka.

Lac La Biche County senior administrators will be returning to council in the new year with a report on intersections and developments along Highway 55 from the 663 intersection near Lac La Biche Transport to the truck route intersection at the hamlet boundaries. A report will also be presented to council on the process and timelines involved in the gas station project


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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