M.D. of Willow Creek council updated on status of capital projects

By Rob Vogt

The Municipal District of Willow Creek continues to work on several infrastructure projects throughout the municipality, including roads, sidewalks in Granum, bridges, shop improvements, and more.
At M.D. council’s July 23 meeting, Craig Pittman, the M.D.’s director of infrastructure, outlined the projects, as follows:
Granum stormwater management
This project involves designing and constructing drainage improvements in Granum and surrounding area to add resiliency to the community as historic flooding occurs.
The project, budgeted for $1,614,000 from provincial funding, is complete, and the final report to the province has been submitted.
Claresholm shop improvements
This project involves construction of four office spaces and a washroom, to create office space for emergency services in the administration building.
The project, budgeted for $300,000 from building reserves, is complete. Two public works staff and one agricultural service board staff member will move to the new office space. Office furniture has been ordered and the M.D. is awaiting final invoices.
Range Road 25-0 base paving
This project involves widening Range Road 25-0 from Township Road 9-2 to Highway 3 to accommodate future base and paving.
The project, budgeted for $4,200,000 from reserves and Federal Gas Tax funding, is 50 per cent complete, with construction estimated to be done in late August.
Moon River Estates two new water wells
This project involves the replacement of two groundwater wells, which are at end of life, to minimize the risk of service outages.
The project, budgeted for $175,000 from municipal reserves, is 70 per cent complete.
The wells have been drilled and tested, and the M.D. is working with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas on regulatory approvals.
Granum sidewalk replacement Second Avenue
This project involves the replacement of existing end-of-life sidewalk on Second Avenue between Dufferin and Lansdowne Street in Granum.
The project, budgeted for $75,000 from a Granum special tax, is 30 per cent complete, with a contractor secured and construction expected in mid-August.
Granum sidewalk replacement on Lansdowne Street
This project involves the replacement of existing end-of-life sidewalk on Lansdowne Street between First and Second Avenue in Granum.
The project, budgeted for $175,000 from a Granum special tax, is 30 per cent complete, with a contractor secured and construction expected in mid-August.
Bridge File 963
The bridge at Range Road 27-4 southwest of Claresholm will be replaced.
The project, budgeted for $6,392,100 from the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program and the municipal budget, is 30 percent complete.
It is in conceptual design awaiting regulatory approvals.
Bridge File 74835
The bridge at the end of Basin Road southwest of Nanton will also be replaced.
The project, budgeted for $501,400 from the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program and the municipal budget, is 50 percent complete, with construction expected to be completed by early August.