This is what was said in Hansard to Barry’s question in the House – April 14, 2011
Mr. McFarland:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituency office
has received literally hundreds of concerns over a number of
years about highway 529, a highway that services Little Bow provincial
park, the Southern Alberta Bible Camp, and the Little Bow
Resort. The west half is paved, and the east half is still gravel. To
the Minister of Transportation: what improvements are being
planned for secondary highway 529?
Mr. Ouellette:
Mr. Speaker, I’m very aware of this member’s
concerns with this highway. The oil industry is very busy in that
area and has heavy use of that highway. But I have some great
news for the hon. member and his constituents for all of the hard
work he’s been doing for his constituents. We are doing an overlay
this year on the paved portion of this highway from Champion
to Little Bow provincial park access.
Mr. McFarland:
Well, thanks for the good news, Mr. Speaker.
While the east half is still under gravel, are there any plans to do
anything other than put down a little bit of dust control?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I’ve got more great news for this
hon. member. We’re going to convert that gravel part that he’s
talked about to pavement this year. That means that by this fall
you’ll be able to drive on a fully paved highway on 529 from
Champion junction to highway 845. That’s 20 kilometres worth of
brand new pavement. I would say that that’s far beyond dust control.
That’s going to be a great highway.
Mr. McFarland:
I know you’re jealous, Mr. Speaker, but what
will happen to the department’s priorities if this continued adverse
weather goes on throughout the summer?
Mr. Ouellette:
Well, Mr. Speaker, every year my department sets
a construction schedule, partly based on what we actually can get
done in a year. Our contracts are structured to accommodate a
certain amount of bad weather days, and very few projects fail to
get done due to weather. I know things look pretty bleak out there
today, but I’m very confident that things will turn nice and that we
will get a construction season.
Lois,
Constituency Assistant to Barry McFarland, M.L.A.,
LIttle Bow
1-800-563-0917
