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Government grants help fund Donnelly paving project
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MP Chris Warkentin, Mayor Charlie Doyle and MLA Hector Goudreau break the soil at the project’s commencement spot.
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Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Residents in the Village of Donnelly will be happy to hear improvements will be made to roadways on the east side of the community this fall.
Construction and paving of the roads on the east side of Donnelly will commence in September, which Mayor Charlie Doyle says is in large part thanks to over $1.5 million worth of grants from the provincial and federal governments.
“When completed the project will cost us between $2.25 million and $2.4 million,” says Doyle. “There is no way we could have done this project on our own, so we thank both the federal and provincial government for approving funding.”
Both Member of Parliament Chris Warkentin and Dunvegan–Central Peace MLA Hector Goudreau visited the community on Aug. 26 to help celebrate the sod turning with the village’s councillors, mayors and office staff.
“Good roads ensure pedestrian and driver safety and add to quality of life in our communities,” says MP Warkentin. “Today’s sod turning ceremony represents an important milestone for this project and is another example of the government’s commitment to creating local jobs and stimulating the economy in the Peace Country and across Canada.”
The project will involve paving, adding concrete curbs, gutters and some sidewalks for the east side of Donnelly. This will include North Avenue and Railway Avenue, Center, 1st and 2nd Streets and Doyle, Cote and Gravel Avenues.
MLA Hector Goudreau says the project will provide residents with upgraded roadways which will improve mobility in the community.
“This project will improve the quality of life for individuals,” says Goudreau. “With upgraded curbs and roads mobility and transportation will be improved. The province is happy to provide about $750,00 to this project.”
“We are proud to partner with the federal government to fund this much-needed project as we work together to build stronger communities for Albertans and help stimulate the community. This project will address important infrastructure needs in the east side of the Village of Donnelly and attract new residents and businesses.”
The project is being funded under the Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund in the communities component. The federal and provincial government provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with municipalities covering the remainder of project funding.
In Alberta, the program is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Transportation.
It is administered by a joint secretariat. An oversight committee approves the projects and is comprised of representatives from the governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties.
“This project will add to everything this community is about,” says Goudreau. “Residents will appreciate the advancements. Council should be commended for the foresight in commencing this project.”
“We appreciate the battles you face to provide infrastructure for your community,” says Warkentin. “It is the foresight of current government, even with resistance of moving into a deficit, to further projects involving infrastructure.”
Warkentin explains the federal government and Alberta government feel very similarly in regards to improving infrastructure and roadways. He says it is a pleasure to see a community like Donnelly concerned about the improvement of roadways.
“Alberta government has always stood square with us to agree infrastructure has to improve,” says Warkentin.
Projects will commence in September.
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