Sturgeon County council plans to borrow more than $17 million this year to fix seven roads and bridges, many of which connect to St. Albert.
County council passed first reading of seven borrowing bylaws Jan. 11. The bylaws, if passed, will authorize administration to borrow about $17.5 million to pay for seven road and bridge projects approved as part of the 2022 budget.
The three most expensive items would see Meadowview Drive and the bridge on it just west of the Sandpiper Golf and Country Club repaired for $9.5 million and Coal Mine Road rebuilt and paved for $3.53 million. Both are high-traffic roads which lead into St. Albert. Another $1.835 million is set to be borrowed to pave Range Road 252 from Bellerose Drive to Coal Mine Road leading to St. Albert.
Also on the borrowing list is $890,000 to rebuild Range Road 234 near the Nywenning subdivision; $500,000 to improve Range Road 11 near Highway 37 (which would include a new eight-metre-wide gravel road with a turnabout to it), and $1.2 million to repave roads in Sturgeon Crest.
These bylaws, if approved, will add $17,455,000 to the county’s debt load and cost $4,535,270 in interest over 15 years. Council heard that the county currently has about $107 million in borrowing capacity.
Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said roads are a top priority for county residents, and it makes sense to do this work now before interest rates rise. Residents are also looking forward to having a safe drive through the historic Meadowview region.
These bylaws will return for second reading later this year.
