DIDSBURY – Crews are busy working on the Rosebud Trunk Line, which is expected to be completed next year. The project will enable the town to accommodate development in the north and east quadrants of Didsbury.
“There are crews on site right now to undertake some of the directional drilling required for the project,” said Christofer Atchison, manager of legislative and development services. “It is currently on schedule and on budget.”
The project will take several months and should be completed in 2017, said Atchison. Phase 1 of the project was awarded to Foran Equipment in the amount of $1,076,717.96.
Phase 2 of the project, the installation of a lift station for the trunk line, is scheduled to be undertaken in 2017.
“The Rosebud Trunk Line actually facilitates future development in the north and east quadrants of town,” he said. “It allows all of the annexed lands to the north and east to be able to be developed and to hook up to municipal waste water services.”
At the regular council meeting on Nov. 8, Didsbury town council voted unanimously to delegate to the town the power to impose road use agreements and/or road bans.
The road ban would reserve the right to limit the weight of any load travelling on any highway under the town's jurisdiction by way of road bans.
The bylaw was enacted as a response to heavy trucks bringing in hydrocarbon contaminated soil on 23rd Street for the landfill.
“The bylaw authorizes administration to enact road bans or request that individuals enter into a road use agreement at their discretion,” he said.
“Road use agreements are typically utilized when an individual or company is expecting that specific considerations (are needed) to ensure that municipal infrastructure is not compromised.”
Coun. Joyce McCoy, who was one of the main proponents of putting the bylaw forward, said she was pleased with the decision.
“I'm very pleased that the traffic bylaw has been revised to include road use agreements and the ability to apply road bans,” said McCoy.
“This will ensure that Didsbury roads are protected from the damage that can be caused by overweight vehicles. The change in the bylaw provides administration with the power they need to protect our roads.”
Also at the meeting, council approved the purchase of a snow blower (a used 2015 RPM 217) at the cost of $88,910, excluding GST. The funds are being pulled from the equipment reserve.
“The town does not currently have a snow blower but after consideration and consultation with other municipalities, it was identified that there would be efficiencies realized through the purchase of one,” he said.
