An extension of 51 Avenue between Highway 27 and 48 Street was ceremoniously and officially opened on Oct. 10.
An extension of 51 Avenue between Highway 27 and 48 Street was ceremoniously and officially opened on Oct. 10.
Dignitaries including Mayor Judy Dahl, Wild Rose MP Blake Richards, Alberta Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations Cal Dallas, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Bruce Rowe and chair of the Chinook’s Edge School Division board Colleen Butler were on hand before a crowd of roughly 30 people to cut a ribbon to open the new roadway, which divides the former Olds High School site.
Construction on the project began in the spring and the extension was established to create a new access between the highway and the downtown core.
Other groups represented were the Uptowne Olds committee, the Olds Chamber of Commerce and Cam Clark Ford, which is purchasing the former high school site from the school division.
The budget for the entire project, which includes the roadway extension, resurfacing and service upgrades along 48 Street and the creation of the intersection of 51 Avenue with Highway 27, was $1.2 million.
Cam Clark Ford paid $400,000 to cover the cost of the intersection and the federal government kicked in $320,000 in gas tax cash for the road extension.
Norm McInnis, the town’s chief administrative officer, said provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative grants were used for work on 48 Street.
He added that the school division donated the land for the roadway extension—at a value of roughly $500,000—to the town.
Two dedicated left-hand turning lanes have been added to Highway 27 on either side of its intersection with 51 Avenue but there will still be two lanes for through traffic on either side.
Traffic lights will not be installed at the intersection until next year.
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