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Vol. 12, No. 22, Tuesday, March 28, 2017 www.LamontLeader.com
Highway 15 Bridge Twinning officially announced by Province Michelle Pinon Editor Premier Rachel Notley was in the hub of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Thursday morning to officially announce further plans on the twinning of Highway 15 and expansion of bridge capacity to and from the City of Fort Saskatchewan. “We are here to make life better for Albertans, and that’s exactly why we are going to twin this bridge,” stated Notley, who was surrounded by Transportation & Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood, along with elected officials from Fort Saskatchewan, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, Lamont County, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, and the Town of Bruderheim. “There are many decisions to make and much to do before construction can begin,” added Notley, who guaranteed, “Work will begin immediately to retain an engineering consultant to start developing plans to twin the Highway 15 bridge.” Design for the project will begin in 2017, with construction commencing as soon as 2019. A project of this size will take about three years to complete construction. Once the design process is complete, a more detailed
project timeline will be available. Lamont County Reeve Wayne Woldanski commented, “From Lamont County’s perspective we are extremely pleased with the announcement by the Province to twin Hwy 15 and construct a new bridge crossing to Fort Saskatchewan. Hwy 15 is a critical transportation corridor through the Industrial Heartland and this project will help ensure the continued safe transport of workers and goods and services on a daily basis. Many of our residents utilize Hwy 15 to travel to and from work on a daily basis. This announcement is a clear indication that the Government has acted on concerns of residents, businesses, regional municipalities and the AIHA. We appreciate the investment that the Government is making in our road infrastructure and look forward to the project moving forward in a timely manner. Many thanks also goes to MLA Jessica Littlewood for her tireless work and advocacy on this project.” We in the Town of Bruderheim are pleased to hear that this project will commence in the near future. The Government of Alberta has indicated that design work will begin in 2017, with construction commencing, possibly as soon as 2019. The project timeline is projected to take about three years to
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALBERTAʼS INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND ASSOCIATION
Premier Rachel Notley, front middle, stands with various elected and industry officials at the March 23 announcement at City Hall in Fort Saskatchewan. complete construction. The recognition that Highway # 15 is critical to the safe, efficient movement of people and products in our region is very encouraging! Capital investment into our key transportation corridors is an indication that the Government of Alberta recognizes the value of energy development and the building of safe, sustainable communities. Highway 15 is a main artery into, and through, our nation’s largest hydrocarbon processing region. Employees, product, emergency responders, and families need efficient and safe access on a daily basis. We are very pleased that the Government of Alberta is committed to twinning Highway 15 as well as the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. This important upgrade to our transportation network is vital to the growth of our
communities, businesses, and industrial region.” As Bruderheim sits in the centre of the Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, Mayor Karl Hauch said, “A safe, high functioning transportation network is critical to keep this economic region thriving and to ensure the safety of our citizens. We appreciate the province recognizing the value of investing in this infrastructure that keeps Albertans productive and industry economically sound. Going forward, we are definitely looking forward to future announcements in our region regarding other transportation needs. Finally, I need to state that the safety of our residents is our primary concern.” Ed Gibbons, Chair of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association said, “Highway 15 is a main artery into, and
through, our nation’s largest hydrocarbon processing region. Employees, product, emergency responders, and families need efficient and safe access on a daily basis. We are very pleased that the Government of Alberta is committed to twinning
Highway 15 as well as the bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. This important upgrade to our transportation network is vital to the growth of our communities, businesses, and industrial region.”
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Lamont High School Drama 8 students performed Cafe Murder before their parents and family members on March 21, and in front of their school mates on March 23 which included a question and answer audience participation segement to help determine who was the killer in the murder mystery.