Drumheller Town council awarded the tender for the 2025 Street Improvement Program (SIP) to Grindstone Paving and Excavation Ltd during the regular Monday, April 7, which will see several roadways and sidewalks in the Newcastle community undergo repairs and improvements.
The total bid amount of $529,720.43, excluding GST, came in under the original 2025 SIP budget by $355,414.59, and council approved the allocation of the remaining portion of the budget towards the 6 Avenue extension project to connect the intersection near Freson Bros. to Downtown Drumheller via an extension road; this will ensure completion of this project without needing to draw from the Town’s reserves.
While the original 2025 SIP included provisions to complete resurfacing all Newcastle neighbourhood roadways, it was determined that the project, as originally planned, would be too ambitious and result in budget overages. As a result, five key areas were identified in need of improvement–Newcastle Trail from 10 Street to Riverside Avenue, and 12 Street from Newcastle Trail to its end.
Along with roadway work, paving will also be completed on several pathways in the community, including along the Riverside Walkway from the asphalt termination to Riverside Drive, from the end of the Rails to Trails pathway between 5 Street and Highway 9 to the crosswalk, and the Midland Bridge/Kohut Crossing pathway.
Due to the overall change in project scope for the 2025 SIP, the Town was able to reallocate surplus funds towards the 6 Avenue extension project.
Council awarded this project to East Butte Contracting Ltd as the only compliant tender bid for $1,688,014.59, excluding GST, to complete the full scope of work. The project initially had an approved budget of $1.4 million in the Town’s 2025 Capital budget; the surplus will allow the project to be completed without drawing from Town reserves.
Additionally, the Town has applied for grant funding through the Alberta Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) for $400,000. If approved, this grant funding would minimize the Town’s need to use the 2025 SIP surplus.
