Province and County agree to share costs of paving Highway 724

Aug 10, 2020 | 2:35 PM

A 10 kilometre stretch of Highway 724 north of La Glace will be getting paved thanks to a new cost-sharing agreement between the Province of Alberta and County of Grande Prairie.

The project includes base paving from Highway 29 to the County limits for a cost of $8 million. The cost will include engineering design, land acquisition, utility relocation, environmental compensation, and construction.

The Alberta government will foot 75 per cent of the bill, or $6-million. The County will pay the remaining $2-million.

County of Grande Prairie Reeve Leanne Beaupre says this announcement is big for residents in the area who use the road.

“Having this stretch of highway paved will enhance the safety of everyone using it, including our residents, local businesses, and industry.”

The partnership between the County and the Province comes as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan.

Beaupre said that this will help expand economic opportunities for the County.

“This project will also help encourage continued economic and community development in our region, which will help us realize our goals of building a vibrant and prosperous community, as identified in our 2020 – 2025 Strategic Plan.”

Construction on the road is expected to complete in late 2021.

by Shane Clausing