QE II paving project funded

New federal-provincial funding for upgrades to the QE II Highway in the north part of Mountain View County is welcome, says Deputy Reeve Patricia McKean.

The provincial and federal governments have announced new funding totalling $535 million for a number of major highway improvements.

Among projects earmarked for the new spending is a repaving project for a section of the QE II from just north of the Highway 27 overpass to Highway 590.

"It for sure is welcome news," said McKean. "It will make travel a lot nicer for everyone. I know that Reeve Beattie had confirmation from them that when that (new project) takes place they would correct the off-ramp headed north from Highway 27 towards Red Deer.

"They have told us previously that when they did this project they would correct that. It's a safety concern."

The county has made numerous calls in recent years for the off- ramp to be improved as a matter of road safety, she noted.

The new funding will also go towards a 0.4-kilometre upgrade of a section of Highway 587 in the Town of Bowden (Highway 587:02 - 587:03).

In all, 96 provincial projects will be funded, including new construction and rehabilitation of existing roadways.

The federal government is providing $255 million to cover 50 per cent of eligible costs of the projects, with the provincial government adding an additional $279 million.

The projects are designed to maintain infrastructure on major highways. Highway 2 is one of the province's busiest roadways, completely bisecting Mountain View and Red Deer counties.

"By working with our federal counterparts, we are able to do even more to improve highways, connect communities and enhance the movement of goods and services across Alberta," said Brian Mason, Alberta minister of infrastructure and transportation.

"This joint investment supports nearly 100 road and bridge projects from Taber to Peace River and dozens of communities in between as we work to make life better right across the province."