Starland County is pleased with the government’s announcement that it has reinstated the bridge program.
Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk, along with members of Starland County attended the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties Fall convention. One announcement was the refunding of the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP).
The Honourable Brian Mason Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure announced they have refunded the bridge programs in the amount of $21 million.
“Starland County has already met with the Department, and provided them with a two year project listing. We are currently working on the environmental approvals, and we will be submitting a project application in December,” said Rawlusyk.
Starland County has 112 bridges within it boundaries.
There was also $7 million for resource roads and $2 million for airports announced at the same time, along with $5 million for local projects such as taking over a primary highway, or other special projects.
One of the hot topics at the convention was the future of coal communities in the province. One resolution was a request to continue the operation of coal-fired generation plants. Rawlusyk said this was strongly supported.
“It called for the continued operation of coal fired power generation plants while encouraging the coal industry and the electricity producers to explore alternate methods of utilizing coal for power generation and alternate uses for coal,” he said,
A separate session was held on the impact of replacing coal in Alberta as well.
Rural municipalities also passed a resolution to call on the Government of Canada to support the Northern Gateway Project and market access.
The Association passed a resolution to try and get natural gas and propane used for agricultural operations to be exempted from the carbon levy as it is on fuel.
Delegates were also concerned about the future of Alberta SuperNet, and passed a resolution to encourage the Province to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee to participate in a review of the existing agreement, which expires on June 30, 2018.
