image from Google Streetview
Starland County is working with Alberta Transportation on a plan to replace the Morrin Bridge.
The replacement of the Morrin Bridge is on the Alberta Transportation 2016-2019 Major Construction list. CAO of Starland County, Ross Rawlusyk, says the project has not yet gone to tender, but much work is being done to prepare for the project. The government department has been working closely with the County.
“It is going to be a two year project at least,” said Rawlusyk.
Plans for the construction, says Rawlusyk, include an uncovered bridge with improved sight lines and realignment of the road to make it safer. Starland owns some of the land where the new bridge could be positioned, and is working with the government to improve the area.
“One nice thing for us, we have been negotiating with them for a boat ramp,” he said. “If we could get a decent boat launch put in somewhere, it could facilitate everything from emergency services to people recreationally canoeing and that type of thing.”
The County would also like to see flood elevation markings on the bridge.
‘It gives us one more site to use to check elevation levels,” he said.
The open bridge will be advantageous to all users.
“It would be able to accommodate wider loads and bigger loads. The realignment will give us additional safety,” he said.
He explains it will allow area users with machinery to better transport their equipment and will eliminate height restrictions. Currently taller loads have to use either the Drumheller crossing or the Rumsey crossing.
Rawlusyk says they have a very good working relationship with the department on this.
“We are working with them on advertising the environmental permits as well because we are the land owner on part of the site still,” he said. “They have been very good to deal with. A lot has to do with their willingness to work with us.”
