The Municipal District of Bighorn has approved a general plan for pavement rehabilitation on MD roads over the next decade that can be tweaked as needed.
Council unanimously passed the 2017 Ten-Year Pavement Rehabilitation Plan as information to identify long-term road needs for budgeting and planning purposes.
In it there will be a priority on Jamieson and Richards roads and then the plan will move into the hamlets of Exshaw, Lac Des Arc, Dead Man’s Flats and Harvie Heights in later years, said Bill Luka, MD director of operations.
“The intent of the plan is to identify the funding required in the next 10-year period,” said Luka. “The general plan will be defined year-to-year by council.”
About $3.5 million will be required over 10 years to 2026, said Luka, averaging about $380,000 per year.
The MD is using the 2012 DCL Siemens as a guideline for the program at a $19 per square metre unit rate.
“It’s addressing road rehabilitation needs without being surprised at the cost,” said Luka.
Council can adjust the “living” plan accordingly on a yearly basis when identifying road rehabilitation needs within the MD.
The cost may vary in figures based on the yearly market price, said Luka, however, Councillor Paul Clark was in favour of the plan because of its “consistent” numbers over the next decade.
Reeve Dene Cooper added it shows the MD has “planned within our means.”
