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Centre Avenue work moving ahead in phases

Council approved a schedule and estimated budget to begin work on Centre Avenue corridor improvements, continuing their commitment to community connectivity and increasing traffic efficiency and capacity, particularly during peak commute times.

Council approved a schedule and estimated budget to begin work on Centre Avenue corridor improvements.

The plan was agreed upon at Monday's council meeting and reinforces council's commitment to increasing traffic efficiency and capacity, particularly during peak commute times.

“Council is investing in our local roadways,” says Mayor Jeff Genung. “With the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge scheduled to open in the fall of 2020, we recognize the need to make investments in our roads to ensure that traffic can flow throughout our core. At the same time, we will continue to advocate to the province for improvements to the provincial roadways that flow through our community, including the Highway 1A/22 interchange and the Highway 1A/Centre Avenue intersection."

Genung showed off a sealed celebratory bottle of what appeared to be champagne at the meeting. He vowed that as soon as shovels are in the ground on the interchange he will be popping the cork for all to celebrate.

"Community connectivity is a key strategic priority for council."  Council voted in favour of moving forward with phasing.

Phase one is scheduled for 2020 and includes repainting Centre Avenue to remove on-street parking and create two southbound receiving lanes off Highway 1A. The project is estimated to cost $26,000. This phase includes detailed design for the Centre Avenue widening to four lanes at a cost of $600,000 and Highway 1A/Centre Avenue intersection improvements, $900,000.

Phase two, scheduled for 2021, includes construction for the Highway 1A/Centre Avenue intersection improvements. These will include dual left turn lanes off 1A onto Centre Avenue, and additional westbound and eastbound through lanes on Highway 1A between Fourth Avenue and Centre Avenue. This phase is estimated to cost $5.6 million. The project is contingent on approval from Alberta Transportation.

"The town isn’t able to do the project without provincial support," said Dave Devana, Chief Administrative Officer with the town at the meeting.

The completion of the first two phases will provide immediate traffic flow benefits for residents, commuters and visitors during peak times. All phases include consultation with the public and key stakeholders.

Phase three, scheduled for 2022 and estimated to cost $4.5 million, includes widening Centre Avenue to four lanes.

Phase four of the project includes construction of the realignment of Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue at an estimated cost of $7 million. This project is contingent on approval from Alberta Transportation and is included in the Town’s 10-Year Capital Plan.

The associated project budgets will be included in council’s budget deliberations on November 18 and 19, 2019.

Coun. Morgan Nagel worries that painted lines will just move congestion from the hill to Centre Street.

The town could negotiate with the province on funding, as they've been discussing the project since 1988.

"What I'm hearing is we have work to do with the province," added Genung.

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