Council’s eyes were firmly fixed on the recently delivered 2018 Alberta Government budget, looking for any sign of the government’s previous promise to advance construction of the highways 1A/22 interchange.
While some Cochrane residents remain skeptical about whether they will actually see the beginning of construction, council and administration remain vigilant and are monitoring the much-anticipated project as it makes its way through the province’s books. The earliest equipment is slated to hit the ground is late 2019.
With no specific reference to the Highway 1A/22 project in this budget, we reached out to Transportation Minister Brian Mason to make sure things are still on target.
I sent a letter to Minister Mason, Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead and Deputy Transportation Minister Barry Day, and wrote: “Since the budget was delivered I have been inundated with multiple questions from our community, as not only is the construction not specifically listed in the funded projects, it is also not listed in the unfunded capital projects.”
“Minister Mason, we do appreciate the commitment the government made to having the design completed in 2018. My community is now seeking confirmation of the provincial government’s previous commitment for construction of the interchange to commence in 2019/20.”
What we are hearing is that the project is on schedule and is currently in the design phase. Construction is still slated for 2019/20. A timetable will be announced once the design phase is complete; funding should be included in the 2019 provincial budget.
Minister Mason was in Cochrane last April to announce his government was moving forward with plans to address Cochrane’s long-standing safety and traffic concerns at the highways 1A/22 intersection.
This council remains steadfast in its determination to see forward momentum continue on this important project for our community.
