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By rdnewsNOW staff

$179.5 Million In Grants

Province highlights upgrades planned for Alberta’s infrastructure

Apr 20, 2023 | 2:11 PM

Alberta’s government says it is providing $179.5 million in grants to support 122 road, bridge, community airport and water projects across the province, which are expected to grow the economy and create hundreds of jobs.

Government officials say a total of 53 water and wastewater projects in small and rural communities across Alberta will support 672 jobs.

“Alberta’s communities need effective municipal infrastructure to support economic growth. This investment will help ensure reliable access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater services to support Albertans, industry and agriculture. We’re also ensuring our communities have safe and efficient local roads, bridges and community airports to support economic growth, attract investment and improve travel,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.

Under the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program, the government says 69 local road, bridge and community airport projects will create about 183 jobs.

Approved projects under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership include a $1.5-million grant for upgrades to the Wainwright sanitary trunk main to improve efficiency and ensure effective wastewater services and a $1.2-million grant to Wetaskiwin County for wastewater treatment infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, Vegreville will receive a $1.3-million grant for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system to improve efficiency and support future growth in the community.

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“Alberta’s municipalities rely on grant funding through the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership, the Water for Life program and the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program to develop and maintain key local transportation infrastructure. These investments will not only create jobs and promote economic growth – but also improve safety and the quality of life in these communities,” says Rick Wilson, MLA for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin.

The government says approved projects under Water for Life include a $10.3-million grant to extend a regional waterline from the village of Donalda to the village of Rosalind and the village of Bawlf, $6.8 million for emergency wastewater storage ponds near the town of Olds, and $1.4 million for reservoir expansion and a pumphouse in the town of Sexsmith.

Approved projects under the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program include $1.7 million for repaving the runway and replacing airfield lighting at the Westlock Regional Airport, $1.4 million to replace the Banff Avenue bridge over the Bow River in Banff, and $2.2 million to pave Township Road 752A to Hilliards Bay Provincial Park in the County of Big Lakes.

Provincial officials say the funding is included in Budget 2023 and is part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to supporting rural and small urban municipalities in building and maintaining critical local transportation, and water and wastewater infrastructure.

Alberta government quick facts

Water grants:

• The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and the Water for Life programs provide grants to municipalities to assist in the construction of high-priority municipal water supply and treatment facilities, as well as wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
• Budget 2023 includes a $120-million increase in funding for AMWPP for a total of $211 million over three years and maintains funding for Water for Life, with $169.3 million allocated over three years.
• The 53 projects approved for 2023 will receive $142.1 million:
  • 47 projects will receive about $114.5 million through AMWWP
  • six projects will receive about $27.6 million under the Water for Life program

Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP):

• STIP provides grants to small and rural municipalities to maintain and improve local road bridges, community airports and local resource roads.
• Budget 2023 maintains funding for STIP, with $93.2 million allocated over three years.
• The 69 projects approved for 2023 will receive a total of $37.5 million in funding under the following STIP components:
  • Local Road Bridge projects – 59 projects receiving $28.6 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
  • Community Airport Program – Five projects receiving $4.6 million in provincial funding. The contribution breakdown for this program is 75 per cent provincial and 25 per cent municipal funding.
  • Local Municipal Initiatives – Five projects receiving $4.3 million in provincial funding. The provincial/municipal contribution percentages vary based on project scoring.