With poor weather hampering construction efforts, Sturgeon County is closing a large section of 195 Avenue so construction can be finished before winter.
The closure started on Saturday and is expected to continue until mid-October so crews can finish the work.
The road will be completely closed from 50 Street to 82 Avenue. There will be very restricted access from 82 Avenue to Range Road 244.
The restricted access will only allow employees at Edmonton Garrison to get to certain areas that can only be accessed through that route.
Calli Stromner, a spokesperson for the county, said there was simply no way to accomplish the project on time without closing the road.
“The road closure had to happen so they could get everything done on time.”
She said crews have been hurt by the terrible weather this year and needed to be able to speed up the work if they are going to finish before the ground freezes up.
“The weather has not exactly worked in favour throughout the entire project so we are working on some kind of tight timelines.”
The road is set to re-open to the public on Oct. 12, but that is also subject to change if the weather continues to be a problem.
“Everyone is crossing their fingers that Mother Nature will co-operate,” said Stromner.
The road is part of a broader project along 195 Avenue that involves upgrading and widening it along the length of Sturgeon County.
Parts of the project, west of Highway 29, have already been completed.
As part of the Anthony Henday project, the province is closing access from Highway 28 to 195 Avenue. The first closure took place in early September.
