Despite some skepticism over the years and a financial downturn that has seen the province dip back into deficit, the provincial government is all paid up on Ray Gibbon Drive.
Despite some skepticism over the years and a financial downturn that has seen the province dip back into deficit, the provincial government is all paid up on Ray Gibbon Drive.
The city announced Monday that the Alberta government had handed over its final instalment for stage three of the road, valued at $17.2 million.
That brings to $36.78 million the province’s total share in upgrading the road from an arterial standard to a future highway standard. The total cost of all three stages of Ray Gibbon Drive is $75.75 million, with the city covering off the remaining $38.97 million.
“I bet many people here in the community would have been skeptical this was going to happen and we made it happen,” said Mayor Nolan Crouse.
That skepticism sprung from the nature of the deal, which was struck between former premier Ed Stelmach and former mayor Paul Chalifoux in 2006. It said the province would reimburse St. Albert half the costs to upgrade the standard for the road so it could become Highway 2 at some point, but it took several years for the money to start flowing from the province.
Even though the road is not yet completed, with construction last year delayed by poor weather, it is expected to be finished this year. The city, earlier this year, voted to forgo a loan it had passed in 2011, electing instead to use its own cash to pay for the final cost.
“We don’t have to exercise any borrowing so that keeps us out of debt,” said Crouse.
The city borrowed to build each of the first two phases of the road, which opened in 2007 after more than 30 years of intermittent debate and planning.
Crouse said he never doubted the province would follow through on its commitment.
“Every minister had assured me every year, more than once, that this was all going to fall into place,” he said. “It was always a commitment.”
Ray Gibbon Drive could reach as many as eight lanes in width. The province will be responsible for the cost of upgrading the road beyond its current two lanes.
