OLDS — The Town of Olds has received notice that it will be receiving a $600,000 grant to finish off the province’s portion of the cost of the roundabout south of the cemetery.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors infrastructure technologist Denette Leask made that announcement in a letter to Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl, contained in council’s July 10 correspondence and information package.
Construction of the roundabout, located at 68th Street and Highway 2A, was completed in 2022, although vehicles were already able to use it in late 2021. The total cost was projected to be $6.3 million.
Its purpose is to provide secondary access into the Southeast Industrial Park, as well as to allow for smoother traffic flow into town.
The intersection has been rather controversial among some residents who have called it the roundabout “to nowhere.”
However, town officials said the project had been in the town’s eye for some time and it was cheaper to install it now with the help of the 50/50 provincial grant rather than in the future.
“Please be advised that a grant in the amount of $600,000 is being processed for the Town of Olds,” Leask wrote.
“This represents the final payment for the Southeast Industrial Park project, under the Resource Road Program component of the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program- Economic Stimulus (STIP-ES).
“A total grant amount of $3 million, which represents 50 per cent of the total eligible project costs has been paid to the Town of Olds for this project.
“I appreciate your continued commitment to develop your municipal infrastructure.”
Dahl appreciated the letter.
“Nice to see we get some funding back to be able to put towards the road program,” she said.
Council voted to receive the correspondence as information.
