County of Minburn tenders $1.3 million road construction project near Vegreville

Council for the County of Minburn awarded their Range Road 143 Project tender to Iron Stone Services Ltd. at a cost of just under $1.3 mullion plus GST. The road construction will take place from Highway 631 south to the railroad crossing on Range Road 143.

“There is a grain elevator there now so the road is highly travelled by ag users, and we want to make sure the road can accommodate that traffic,” said Director of Protective Services, Mike Fundytus.

The Grains Connect terminal has been there approximately two years, and services farmers all over northern Alberta.

The County of Minburn No. 27, GrainsConnect Canada Corporation, and the Province of Alberta are partnering together to rebuild the road by completing grading, culvert replacement, gravel surfacing and other work. The project will also have to meet recommendations made by WSP Engineering Inc.

“The road would not hold out if it was left. We couldn’t leave it because it has so much more traffic than a regular rural, residential road,” said Fundytus.

“We like keeping things in good working order to support the residents and the agriculture industry.”

He said the county applied to the province’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Resource Road Program grant funding stream, which is for building or improving road infrastructure that supports industrial and economic growth.

“The County was successful in its grant application for 50 per cent of the eligible project costs up to maximum of $1,124,778,” said Fundytus.

The County of Minburn will be contributing $150,000 towards the project with the remainder coming from the GrainsConnect Canada Corporation.