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Sheep River Bridge work protects against flooding
Long-term flood mitigation projects at the Sheep River Bridge at Highway 22 will protect the important route from future floods.
Flood waters washed out 100 metres of the Sheep River crossing in June 2013.
As part of Budget 2014’s proactive flood mitigation effort, the river banks at the Sheep River Bridge on Highway 22 are being fortified to make them bigger, stronger and wider. The $800,000 bridge and embankment work—scheduled to wrap up by mid-May, weather permitting—will direct future flood waters under the bridge without damaging the approach or the bridge itself.
“Our government moved quickly, first to get the road re-opened last June and now to help mitigate the impacts of any similar disasters in the future. We made a commitment to rebuild the province after the floods and that is what we are doing.” Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation
The Alberta Government has allocated $110 million for expanded mitigation work on transportation infrastructure damaged by the June flooding and to proactively protect other select roads and bridges against future flood damage. Of the $110 million, more than $86 million is included in Budget 2014.
“This journey may have begun last June but we continue to work alongside Alberta communities for the long-term benefit of residents. This project is another example of how we continue to rebuild together.” Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southwest Alberta
The June 2013 flood washed out 100 metres of Highway 22 on the east end of the Sheep River crossing, as well as the earth supporting the bridge abutment. It took just two weeks for Alberta Transportation and its partners to repair and reopen the heavily damaged crossing.
Additional Information
An average of 8,000 to 9,000 local and industry vehicles cross the Sheep River every day on the Highway 22 Bridge, connecting thousands of Albertans to their homes, schools, businesses and the rest of the province.
During construction:
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speeds will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour;
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flag persons will be on site to direct the delivery of material, including tonnes of rock and heavy equipment;
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motorists are reminded that speed fines double when workers are present in construction zones; and,
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pedestrian access will be maintained along the trail and bridge on the north side of the highway.
Two other recently approved flood mitigation projects in the same area worth a total of $1.7 million include:
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permanent repairs to and strengthening of the damaged east abutment along the Elbow River at Highway 8; and
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replacement of the flood-damaged round metal culvert at Jura Creek and Highway 1A in Exshaw. A concrete box culvert will be installed for better water flow and to improve debris removal.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta’s resources to ensure we’re able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Related information
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Press release courtesy of Alberta News, Local Government of Alberta. 11 April 2014.
