Red Deer County council awarded contracts to four companies last week for work in and around the county.A contract with Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) was extended for the next five years for residential waste collection and haul services.BFI currently holds the contract which ends at the end of February 2012. The new contract will extend from March 1, 2012 until Feb. 28, 2017 with a possible extension of up to five years. The total contract value over the next five years is estimated at $1.35 million.The fee set for residential pickup is expected to cover the cost of the service. About 1,700 units in the county receive garbage pickup.Council agreed to hire a company to crush gravel in the Lozynsky gravel pit for 2012.The need to crush more gravel is part of the county's three-year rotation of re-gravelling roads in the county, a report to council explains.Gravel supply tenders were originally opened but there was a lack of interest and higher prices. The decision was made to use the county's inventory instead to make sure there's enough gravel for the next two years.GCS Energy Services Ltd. was chosen for the $592,494.30 contract.Two companies were hired for roadside brushing and mulching for the next two years. The brushing and mulching program has been ongoing in the county for the last six years, to clear roadways and expand sight lines for drivers. The annual budget for the year is $750,000.Arbor Tree Services will work on the east side of the QEII and Hillman Enterprises on the west side.Traffic control bylaw updatedHandicap parking has finally come under legislation in Red Deer County following amendments made to the Road Protection and Traffic Control bylaw last week.Last month first and second reading were passed for the bylaw, which hasn't been updated since 1991.Handicap parking wasn't included in the original bylaw, with the thought it was covered by provincial legislation.Now any parking lot in the county with up to 25 spaces for vehicles must set aside one spot for handicapped parking. From 25 to 50 parking spaces, two spots must be reserved for the handicapped, and lots that have between 50 and 100 must set aside three spaces. The penalty bylaw, updated in tandem with traffic control, will fine violators $150.The amendments also include changing speed zones along certain roads.Now, Twp. Rd. 364 from Highway 42 southwest to Highway 816 will increase from 30 km/h to 50.And speeds will change from 60km/h to 80km/h on Rge. Rd. 250 from Highway 42 south for 1.6 kilometres, Rge. Rd. 264 from Highway 595 south to Twp. Rd. 374, Rge. Rd. 264 from Highway 590 south to Twp. Rd. 352 and Twp. Rd. 350 from Rge. Rd. 40 west to Rge. Rd. 42.Administration said it should take two to four weeks for new signs to be ordered and installed.
