Construction of the 40th Avenue bridge and Highway 2 interchange in Airdrie is set to begin in April 2021 and should conclude by October 2023, according to City of Airdrie officials.
Following Premier Jason Kenney’s funding announcement for the interchange in mid-October, Glenn Archer, City of Airdrie team lead for capital projects, presented an update on the highly anticipated infrastructure project to City council at the Nov. 16 regular meeting.
“The city of Airdrie’s population growth has been close to 55 per cent in the last decade – the need for this interchange is critical,” he said.
“It will be most of three years' commitment to the project by the Capital Project office. Effective immediately, staff has assigned a full-time project manager to be the City’s day-to-day representative to the project. This will be Adam Carrol.”
According to Archer, the project will include building a six-through lane interchange at 40th Ave. and Highway 2, widening of the existing bridge at 40th Ave. over the CP railway tracks and realigning Nose Creek adjacent to Highway 2.The total value of the project is estimated to be $83 million, Archer said, with $65 million slated for construction and up to $18 million for land acquisition. The government of Alberta has committed up to $21.1 million toward the project, while Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown said the City is lobbying the federal government for a funding contribution as well.
Archer said staff will bring a formal report detailing the funding aspects for the project, including possible debenture timelines, to the Dec. 7 council meeting.
“The milestone schedule is being clarified and confirmed. However, we are projecting the entire project to be in use as it’s intended to be by October 2023,” he said.“Due to the scale, value and complexity of this project, numerous staff will be involved across many directions.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
