Photo by Shaun Penner / EverythingGP

By Liam Verster

Construction to begin in spring 2021

Two highway projects in County of Grande Prairie on track to go in spring

Dec 22, 2020 | 5:47 AM

The twinning of Highway 40 and the paving of Highway 724 are both on track to see shovels in the ground in the spring of 2021, according to the Reeve of the County of Grande Prairie.

Ryan Konowalyk, the Regional Director for Alberta Transportation in the Peace Region, presented the County of Grande Prairie Council’s Committee of the Whole with an update on the two projects during the December 17 meeting.

Reeve Leanne Beaupre says through the presentations, County Council found that a lot of work had been done to prepare for the projects, including setting up utility booths and acquiring parcels of land for the twinning of Highway 40.

“(The province) has 24 parcels that they have to negotiate and acquire, and I believe [Konowalyk] said that 21 out of the 24 have actively been purchased to move forward. They’re hoping to wrap that up relatively soon, and have the tender documents ready to go out in January, if I remember correctly.”

She adds that it’s encouraging there will likely be the opportunity to start negotiating contracts with construction companies early in the new year.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Beaupre adds the hope for the County is to have one company work on the highway itself, and another work on the new bridge. Those details still need to be finalized by Alberta Transportation.

Along with that update, further design plans were presented to Council Though most of it was good news, Beaupre says there were concerns regarding a jersey barrier that had been in the initial plan but has since been removed.

“There is no separation between the two lanes going north and the two lanes going south, with the exception of an identification marking,” said Beaupre.

“And with the traffic volume, there can be (at) any given time three lanes of traffic coming from the south going north back into the city, and if there’s no separation between those lanes it may just create a fourth lane for impatient travelers to get around either heavy hauls or someone moving slower trying to climb the Wapiti Hill.”

She says while efficient travel is a key to this project, safety must be prioritized. Beaupre says Alberta Transportation has told the County the current plan is based on the province’s standard, though if there is a need identified for a barrier, one could be installed along the highway.

Thursday’s presentation also included an updated design for the bridge. Beaupre says the plan is to have a pedestrian bridge run across the Wapiti River, which was on the original wish-list for both the County and the M.D. of Greenview.

“We’re presently building trail systems that will have connections to that pedestrian bridge, and right now there is a provincial park on the other side, so this really is a quality of life issue as well.”

During Thursday’s meeting, Alberta Transportation also said a 10 kilometre stretch of Highway 724 north of La Glace will be paved in the new year.

Tenders for this $8-million project are expected to go out in early 2021, with construction beginning in the spring as well.

The County will contribute 25 per cent of the funding for this work to be done.