SUNDRE – The complete redesign of the Highway 27-Main Avenue project through Sundre has been split up into two phases.
The bulk of the work slated for this year includes the installation of a brand new set of traffic lights at the intersection of highways 27 and 760 – also known as the Bergen Road immediately east of the Red Deer River bridge – and the three permanent mini-roundabouts through the downtown core at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets.
However, the major upgrade to the intersection of highways 27-22-584 and 10th Street Southwest that will replace the northbound and southbound two-way traffic stop with a regular sized roundabout is scheduled for 2026.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors has for years been developing the project that involved consultations with stakeholders such as the municipality and industry groups including the trucking sector.
“The planned work in 2025 on Highway 27 in town is estimated at $6.74 million,” said Stuart Richardson, an infrastructure manager with TEC, adding that was the contractor’s bid price.
Richardson confirmed in response to questions emailed by the Albertan that the roundabout on the west side of town is scheduled for delivery in 2026 and has been revised to a two-lane configuration from a single-lane roundabout.
“That is TEC’s direction on all regular sized roundabouts,” he said.
The large roundabout at that intersection is estimated to cost approximately $4.96 million, he said.
That represents an overall cost of $11.7 million.
As to whether the tariffs imposed by the U.S. government that in turn have prompted retaliatory measures from the Canadian government might have an impact, Richardson said it was too early to tell.
AECOM, an infrastructure consulting firm, has been contracted by TEC for the project.
Basir Saleh, a project manager with AECOM, told the Albertan during a phone interview that regular meetings are occurring among stakeholders including TEC, the municipality, contractors as well as the RCMP and fire department to ensure there’s a collective and collaborative approach.
“The more they’re involved and they know what’s happening, it helps us, it helps the public, it helps the construction workers, it helps the businesses,” said Saleh.
As information about the project that is pertinent to the public arises, updates will be posted online to both the provincial government as well as the town’s websites. Anyone with questions can also email [email protected].
Per the latest update posted on March 20, the base of the detour road for west-bound traffic was mostly complete with crews getting it prepared for paving. The detour road is expected to open early in April.
“Of course it’s all weather dependent,” said Saleh.
“We’re all at the mercy of the weather.”
