ST. PAUL - Motorists travelling along Highway 29 regularly over the summer months grew accustomed to being in a construction zone, as over 30 km of paving was done.
According to a statement received by Lakeland This Week from a ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors spokesperson, the province invested about $6.5 million to improve the quality of Highway 29.
The paving project went from St. Brides, past St. Paul, toward Elk Point, excluding the Town of St. Paul itself.
"There are several factors such as roughness ranking, and general highway condition used when deciding which roads are selected for rehabilitation," according to the statement, when Lakeland This Week asked why Highway 29 had specifically been chosen for the work.
According to the ministry, paving is now complete, and lines are expected to be painted "in the near future, and we are in the process of scheduling an inspection to mark out the deficiencies before the project is completed this Fall."
Municipal concerns
While Highway 29 is under provincial jurisdiction, local municipalities have expressed concern about the quality of work that's been done.
The topic came up during a joint council meeting between the Town of St. Paul, County of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point and Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay on Oct. 24, confirmed Town of St. Paul CAO Steven Jeffery.
Representatives from all four municipalities "have been hearing a significant number of concerns from our ratepayers and visitors about the paving on either side of St. Paul along Highway 29," said Jeffery.
The elected official decided to pass the following motion: "To direct Administration to submit a letter to Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen and the Regional Director, North Central and Fort McMurray, Michael Botros, regarding the poor quality of work recently completed on Highway 29 east and west of the Town of St. Paul, and further that MLA Scott Cyr be CC'd on the letter."
Municipalities have a number of questions for Alberta Transportation regarding the project, said Jeffery.
