Council continues to lobby for grant funding to address key infrastructure deficiencies

MD Council and senior administrators are set to attend the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) 2023 Fall Convention November 6 - 9 at the Edmonton Convention Centre.

To help drive the MD’s lobbying efforts home, Council will have information kits in hand containing concise briefs and supporting data for several key regional issues. These documents articulate Council concerns about how the Province is handling an issue; propose actions and approaches to remedy these issues; and request status updates on previously-discussed matters.

“We look forward to having face-to-face discussions with our provincial colleagues at the upcoming convention,” shared Reeve Murray Kerik. “We already have meetings scheduled with a few ministers, and there will be countless opportunities for informal chats and networking. All our discussions will focus on primary strategic objectives: repairing our infrastructure; improving health care service delivery; and better supporting our economic drivers.”

Following the RMA Fall Convention, the minister’s briefs kits will be posted to whis website, in addition to a recap of the delegation’s activities. The key issues to be addressed at the convention are listed in brief below.

“Keeping our transportation corridors safe for the travelling public remains a top priority at the Council table, in addition to maintaining reliable infrastructure to support our industry partners.”

— Murray Kerik, Reeve

Residents and industry leaders lend their voices

Public opinion played a vital role in landing the recent provincial infrastructure funds. In the weeks leading up to provincial budget deliberations, the MD launched a campaign to maximize local awareness and elicit public response. In a span of roughly ten days, the MD received more than 350 public declarations of resounding support of the Smith Bridge rebuild project.

“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks for the role our community members played in moving this project forward,” shared Barry Kolenosky, Chief Administrative Officer for the MD. “As one of a hundred rural municipalities vying for provincial funding, we grasp the importance of being visible on the provincial radar. Our recent care package to the Minister contained hundreds of compelling public submissions, and made it abundantly clear that rebuilding the Smith Bridge matters to these folks. The letters pack an emotional punch, and there’s no doubt in my mind that they factored into the Province’s decision.”

Emergency scour repairs complete

In late February 2023, contractors completed scour repairs as a stopgap measure to extend the life of the aging bridge. The scope of work entailed installation of riprap scour protection (placement of large boulders to stabilize and protect an area against erosion) at the bridge’s north pier. Prior to this repair work, the north pier’s ground cover had eroded to just a half metre into the river bed instead of the minimum 2.5 metres as required by code.

Stay informed on the Smith Bridge rebuild

The Smith Bridge is a vital infrastructure asset that supports both a local social framework and a diversity of industrial activity. By replacing this bridge, the MD seeks to unlock even more potential for industry, agriculture, tourism and community.

As this important project gains momentum in the months ahead, any related updates and documentation will be shared via this website.