Rocky View County council voted to increase the budget to fix 70 to 80 kilometres of rain-damaged country roads within the municipality.
More than 60 millimetres of rain has fallen in the past two weeks, resulting in some rural roads becoming hazardous due to slippery and muddy conditions.
“Council has been made aware of the condition of some roads that have been impacted by the recent rains and prolonged wet conditions,” said Byron Riemann, director of infrastructure and operations, following the Sept. 21 meeting.
Work will begin on the damaged roads as soon as they dry out enough to allow equipment to do the repairs, which will include resurfacing and spot repairing.
A number of gravel roads throughout the County that have already been identified for immediate remedial work based on residents’ calls and observations from field personnel.
The cost of the repairs is not known at this time.
Division 6 Councillor Greg Boehlke said the quality of the gravel being put on the roads is part of the problem.
“I would suggest we go out and find gravel with not so much sand in it,” said Beohlke.
“These roads are in horrible condition. I won’t support budget adjustments to put the same product back on.”
Reeve Lois Habberfield said the County should look at their budget.
“I think it is part of a bigger problem,” said Habberfield.
“We do need to increase our budget allocations for country roads.”
Until repairs can be completed, Riemann is urging motorists to exercise caution and slow down while travelling on gravel roads around the county.
