Chip sealing work to begin this week on Highway 29

The province is again entering the arena of Highway 29 after a litany of complaints two years ago of the aftermath.

Transportation and Economic Corridors has chip seal work planned on either side of St. Paul, from east of Highway 36 to St. Paul, and then from east of Highway 881 to Range Road 74.

According to the province, work is scheduled to begin later this week.

Chip sealing is used to improve traction, creating a protective layer from things like water damage, and is hoped to help extend the asphalt’s lifespan.

But on the heels of what happened in 2023, there are questions.

The overlay work done by the contractor was deemed to be “deficient”, according to correspondence between the Town of St. Paul and Government of Alberta.

MLA Scott Cyr says the contractor wasn’t paid for some of the work because of how bad it was.

“I think they were drunk,” Cyr told Elk Point council in July.

“Highways are normally straight. This wasn’t…There were eight-nine inch drops on the approaches.”

For the longterm, St. Paul area officials are also curious when Main Street work will be included in the province’s capital plan.