Local and provincial politicians gathered April 28 at the Airdrie site that will eventually become the new 40 Ave. highway bridge and interchange, to break ground on the long-awaited project’s construction.
Airdrie City council members were joined by Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt and Transportation Minister Ric McIver for the ceremony, which was held atop a mound off 40 Ave. overlooking the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
“As we continue to take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Alberta’s government has a bold and ambitious plan to get us back on track – a plan to create tens of thousands of jobs now, and a plan to build and diversify our economy,” Pitt said during the press conference.
She added that breaking ground on the project is another step in that plan.
“Anyone who has lived in Airdrie as long as I have knows that the city continues to grow,” she said. “In fact, it is one of the fastest growing municipalities in all of Canada.”
Airdrie’s rapid population growth has resulted in an influx of vehicle traffic, according to Pitt, particularly for people who drive into or leave the city during rush hour.
“This congestion not only costs time, but also becomes a safety concern for residents,” she said. “This [interchange] is a critical piece of infrastructure at a critical time.”
Construction of the interchange is set to last until October 2023. The project will include building a six-through lane interchange at 40 Ave. and Highway 2, widening of the existing bridge at 40 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, with $65 million slated for construction and up to $18 million for land acquisition. Last October, the Government of Alberta announced a commitment of up to $21.1 million toward the project.
McIver said the ground-breaking on April 28 marks the start of a very important project for Alberta.
“People keep choosing Airdrie, so it has been growing fast,” he said. “A city of 70,000 people linked into a market of 1.5 million (in Calgary) needs to have the modern roads and transportation network to get people where they need to go safely.”
Construction of the interchange, according to McIver, will provide 490 jobs during its timeline.
“Building the interchange will make it safer for everyone,” he said. “I look forward to marking the next step of growth for Airdrie.”
Taking his turn at the podium, Mayor Peter Brown said Airdrie is projected to reach a population of 90,000 people in the next six to eight years, highlighting the need for a third highway bridge and interchange.
“This interchange greatly benefits our residents, businesses and visitors,” he said. “It will reduce congestion along the QEII, which will immediately improve safety for tens of thousands of travellers.”
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
