Contractors begin construction on 2A
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
Much to the anticipation of Okotoks residents, construction on Highway 2A widening
has finally commenced.
Starting Monday, July 3 South Rock Ltd., the contractor for the project, commenced
construction and intends to aggressively approach the project.
The extent of the project will be to widen the highway to four lanes from Hunters
Gate and Woodhaven Drive in the south to approximately one kilometre north of 338th
Avenue near the Okotoks Animal Clinic.
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The intent is to start work on the southbound lanes on the west side of Highway 2A and then divert traffic to those newly constructed lanes to complete the northbound lanes on the east side of the highway, explained infrastructure services manager Richard Quail.
In order to assist the residents of Okotoks, a project office is currently set up directly north of the Okotoks Heritage House. The project office will be manned and residents can call 938-1867 for any inquiries.
The construction will include traffic lights at Milligan Drive, pedestrian activated crossing lights at Elma Street, new lights at Elizabeth Street and a retrofit of the lights at Woodhaven Drive.
The lights at Sandstone Gate will also be modified. The intent of the new traffic lights will be to sequence the lights at all intersections for progressive movement through town.
In addition, street lighting and landscaping will also be installed.
The Riverside Way connector road from Southridge Drive to Riverside Drive and the looped road from Riverside Drive west to Riverside Way, behind St. James Catholic Church will also be completed.
Although the contract is required by Alberta Infrastructure to maintain traffic movements and access to adjacent properties, Quail said there will no doubt be periodic interruptions.
However, the contractor will be working in cooperation with the town to ensure those interruptions are minimal.
It is expected that by aggressively approaching the project, South Rock will complete construction by Nov. 1 this year.
'South Rock will be coming in and aggressively undertaking the work in a concentrated fashion. We will see a lot of construction in short order and their hope is to be substantially completed before year end,' said Quail.
Project manager Ken Klassen reaffirmed that timeline commitment.
'Our intention is to have both lanes open by Nov. 1. We don't think our expectations are unreasonable,' he said, citing a comparable project in Taber in which South Rock completed in short order.
Klassen added that the company is seeking patience and understanding from the public and for the public to observe all construction signs and posted speed limits to ensure the safety of the public and the construction crews.
'We will try and get in and get the work done as soon as possible,' he said.
Quail added that it has been with the cooperation and input from the public that this project has come to fruition.
Through extensive public consultations, the community has ultimately designed a roadway which will meet the community needs in the future.
Happy birthday to you, Canada!
Top photo: Premier Ralph Klein models a
soccer shirt presented to him in celebration of the grand opening of the Riverside
Community Park in Okotoks on July 1. The park's grand opening was held in conjunction
with Canada Day celebrations which drew a large crowd to participate in fun games,
eat some Canada Day cake, watch some great talented performances and witness the
day's grand finale -- a spectacular fireworks display (below).
photos by Gillian Beckett
During these public consultations, the scope of the project has been downsized
and various important community factors implemented.
Quail explained that the highlights of the project include the closure of Elma Street
West which will now be a cul de sac adjacent to Northridge Drive.
There has also been significant enhancements to landscaping which has been in part
financed by the town and decorative street lighting will be installed in the river
valley area.
'The number one highlight, however, is with 20,000 vehicle movements a day, we are
going to have a safe roadway,' said Quail.
He explained that vehicle movements with the installation of traffic lights especially
at Milligan Drive will be dispersed more evenly throughout the community in a more
efficient manner.
Highway 2A, however, still remains a truck and dangerous goods route and part of
the province's primary highway system.
For more information on the project call South Rock Ltd. at 938-1867 or Stantec Consulting
Ltd. at (403) 716-8301.
