Drivers could face some lengthy delays on Highway 22 this summer as the Province has projects planned for three different sections of the road near foothills communities.
Two sections of Highway 22 totaling 18 kilometres – one within Black Diamond and a second, longer portion near Priddis – will be repaved, while repairs will be done to the bridge over the Highwood River near Longview.
The largest of the three projects will involve repaving a 15-kilometre stretch of Highway 22 in the Priddis area between Highway 22X and Secondary Highway 762.
“It’s a descent sized project,” said Trent Bancarz, Alberta Transportation spokesperson.
The project only involves putting down a new layer of pavement, but will not include any new passing lanes. He said the work could cost between $2.5 million to $3 million.
“Normally you have to do new pavement every 15 to 20 years on a road and it’s just time for it,” said Bancarz.
The second project will see a stretch of Highway 22 on Black Diamond’s south side repaved.
According to Bancarz, the work will involve repaving the road from the town’s south boundary and the four-way stop. He said this project should cost about $700,000.
“It’s right inside the Town, basically,” said Bancarz. “It’s a pretty small project, it’s only a couple of kilometres.”
The Black Diamond paving work will follow construction of a 355m replacement sewer line under the road, which will be completed before the paving work is done.
The smallest of the three projects will involve replacing the railings on the bridge over the Highwood River just south of Longview.
“It’s a fairly small project, we’re talking about $300,000,” he said.
All projects are scheduled to be done this year, but no start date has been set.
“It’s scheduled for this year, I don’t know exactly when it will start though,” he said. “It certainly wouldn’t be starting in the next week or anything.”
The Black Diamond work isn’t much of a concern to some businesses along the road.
Nick Navntoft, owner of Navntoft Motorsports, said the work needs to be done and he hopes the work will be done efficiently.
“They have to do it in the summer obviously,” he said. “Of course, it’s a bit of a restriction but I understand it has to be done.”
Shane Koopman, owner of Koops Auto Service, said he doesn’t have any problems with the planned work and understands the work needs to be done. However, he said he hopes the road won’t be shut down to traffic to accommodate the work.
“Yes it would definitely affect every business if they close down the highway,” he said.
