MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Construction is scheduled to resume this week on the Bergen Road upgrade project after being suspended during the winter.
The project involves extensive road construction between Highway 22 and Rge. Rd. 53, which is also known as the Fallen Timber Trail.
Work on laying the remainder of base gravel will be the focus of the early work, along with preparing for the laying of asphalt. Paving will begin following the completion of the base work.
The county hopes to improve communication with area residents as the project resumes, says Mountain View County Reeve Bruce Beattie.
The county received calls from residents with concerns during last year’s construction season. With the project now back in progress, new communication measures are in place, he said.
“We are working very hard this year to make sure that we have a communication plan in place with the local residents,” said Beattie, whose division includes the construction area. “We have electronic signs up indicating contact numbers if there are any questions.
“And of course we are encouraging people to use our new county app to get information. And there will be updates every week in The Albertan.”
The county's director of operations will also be in contact with local residents to “ensure them what the process is going to be,” he said.
As for a timeline for the project, he said, “We are hoping that six to eight weeks, if weather cooperates, that will be the extent of it. And of course it won’t be as disruptive as it was in 2020; there’s not the major rebuilding. It’s a matter of putting down a layer prior to the paving and then the paving process.”
The county is encouraging people to use alternative routes if possible, he said.
“There are other ways to get to Bergen and to get into Sundre,” he said. “Other than local residents, we would encourage people to avoid that area if they can. I think people will be very pleased with the end result.”
Following the paving portion of the project, clean up work will commence, including installation of fencing, planting of trees and upgrades to Davidson Park.
The construction project will include periodic land closures.
As Beattie mentioned, notification of updates will be provided to area residents and motorists weekly through the County Connection pullout in The Albertan, on the county website, on the county’s social media channels, and through push notifications on the county app.
