Motorists frustrated with recent traffic jams can take some comfort in the latest capital projects update from the Town of Cochrane.
As with any capital projects, questions remain around cost control, scheduling, and weather.
But maybe the biggest question for now is whether the good news or the bad news comes first.
On the bright side, at a May 2 council meeting, Town administration told council members the Highway 1A/22 interchange is projected to go to tender by the province later this year. That’s the good news.
As for the bad news, the latest projected completion date is not until June 30, 2025.
Coun. Marni Fedeyko saw the glass half full as she chaired the May 2 council meeting, noting that in a few years, residents should see marked improvements.
“Cochrane is going to look like a very different place in say, five to seven years from now,” she said.
Traffic congestion will not be solved overnight, but Fedeyko says people will see the benefits eventually.
“Solutions will come with some frustrations and some challenges. We encourage people to be patient,” she said.
Town officials were able to complete planned work for key projects in 2021 under budget.
Targeted for completion by October 2022 with a budget of $11.4 million are the continuation of Highway 1A improvements (expanding from two to four lanes from west of 3rd Ave. to 6th Ave.), more Centre Ave. improvements (northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between 2nd St. to Powell St.), and the construction of a retaining wall on 4th Ave.
To facilitate the Highway 1A/22 interchange sequence of events, preparation continues to allow for ramp construction. Earthwork started in April and underground water and sanitary pipes will be relocated. Budget for this is targeted at $7.6 million, with completion scheduled for July.
Other locations will see work continue to ease traffic pressures.
Foot traffic is being addressed as well. Walkers and cyclists in the Jumping Pound Creek area will be eager to see work finally begin on repairing 2013 flood damage. The bank along the creek will be repaired along with some flood protection and erosion control measures.
This project will include the installation of bank stabilization and erosion prevention measures along the west bank of the creek, new vegetation along the west and east portions of the creek, and moving 175 metres of pathway along the creek to the west for improved protection from flooding and erosion.
The whole project is targeted for completion in September, funded by a $1.2 million provincial grant.
To take advantage of this planned activity, maintenance of the Crawford Pond will be scheduled at the same time, utilizing the same supplier for the Jumping Pound project.
The pond to the west of jumping Pound Creek will be dredged to clean accumulated sediments.
New plantings around Crawford Pond (west of Crawford Drive are targeted for completion in June. The budget for this project is $150,000 and is funded from the Stormwater Reserve Fund.
North of town, the 4th Ave. bridge replacement is scheduled to be complete in November. It is going to tender so the budget is yet to be determined.
This project involves the demolition and replacement of the existing timber structure bridge carrying 4th Ave. over Bighill Creek. A segment of a popular walking and biking trail, the bridge is 69 years old and has been identified by inspectors as requiring replacement.
There will be some challenging environmental requirements to protect fish and bird habitat during high-risk periods. As a result, the demolition of the bridge and all construction activities need to be coordinated to minimize the disturbance to the community and the environment.
To comply with the provincial government’s guidelines for protecting fish habitat on waters such as Bighill Creek, the project must be completed by Sept. 15.
All in all, it will be another busy construction year in Cochrane, with around $60 million worth of capital projects underway or due to start in 2022.
The success rate in keeping projects under budget might be hard to duplicate, as municipal governments are not immune to recent dramatic inflation rate hikes.
“Costs of construction materials and disruptions in supply chain are causing unique industry challenges, so that’s something Cochrane is certainly not immune to,” said Drew Hyndman, Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services.
