Title
Alberta Transportation Bridge Report
Proposed Motions
That Council approve up to $4,350,000 of Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) Capital funding for the construction of a pedestrian underpass/ wildlife corridor under Highway 16 east of Range Road 42, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion as it aligns with several of Council's long term strategic plans and investments in Wabamun.
Purpose
To provide a pedestrian, bicycle, and alternative modes connection and a wildlife corridor between the Hamlet of Wabamun and the future development lands in the area known as Whitewood Mine.
Summary
There are two existing bridges on Hwy 16 east of Rge Rd 42 that will be removed by Alberta Transportation in 2023. These two bridges (one eastbound, one westbound) were installed in partnership with Alberta Transportation and TransAlta approximately 60 years ago and have reached the end of their lifecycle. Their original intent was for large coal carrying vehicles to drive under the highway between the Whitewood coal mine and the TransAlta power plant along the shores of Lake Wabamun. The power plant and coal mining activities were ceased many years ago and the bridge underpasses have been relatively unused since.
Parkland County was approached by Alberta Transportation to discuss a variety of options such as removal, repair, and/or replacement as well as culvert installation and similar options. Parkland County Administration noted there was some level of interest with respect to future pedestrian, bicycle and/or alternative modes access between the Hamlet and Whitewood Mine’s future development areas as well as maintaining a wildlife corridor under the highway. This is the primary purpose to bring this information to Council for consideration. It is important to note that the funding identified will only include the portion within Highway 16 right-of-way and will not provide an immediate connection to the north or south.
Administration has dismissed the bridge options as they are too far along their lifecycle for repairs to be completed and replacement would be very expensive for any future use of the County.
Administration completed a quick analysis of culvert options including both structural plate corrugated steel pipe (SPCSP) and concrete box culvert. The consulting report completed for this task is attached for supplemental information. The analysis considers a few wildlife and associated engineering reports to support the overall clearance (vertical/horizontal) and lighting levels within the corridor. In quick summary, there are two culvert options, both do relatively the same thing. The concrete box culvert is slightly more expensive but provides 1/3 longer lifecycle at 75 years versus 50 years.
Council may choose to not support the motion. If this is the case, Alberta Transportation will move forward with the bridge removal process in 2023 and will fill in the current void with local fill materials. The ability to move between the north and south sides of the highway will be eliminated at this location. An existing interchange for vehicular movements at Hwy 16 and RR41 is available to access the area. The interchange does not currently include accommodations for pedestrians, casual cyclists, and alternative modes. Drainage will continue to be managed via a buried pipe under the fill areas. Any wildlife moving through the area will be required to cross the highway at-grade or not at all.
The amount requested for construction is an upset limit of $4,200,000 of MSI Capital grant funding to be included in the 2024 budget. Administration intends to continue discussions with Alberta Transportation and will focus on the opportunity to cost share some of the identified costs. The amount requested for design is $150,000 of MSI Capital grant funding to be included in the 2023 budget. Alberta Transportation will complete the design as part of their overall construction project. The amount paid by the County will be reflective of the actual costs incurred, which will be determined once design is completed.
There is some mutual benefit to the wildlife accommodation as this will have the potential to maintain an existing crossing and potentially reduce wildlife and vehicle conflicts. The existing bridges have been effectively doing this for many years and Administration believes there is some level of continued responsibility by the Province to maintain a connection.
Alberta Transportation will be managing the design and construction activities. Administration anticipates a Memorandum of Agreement will be signed between the County and the Province to facilitate the work, subject to Council's direction, and will provide an agreed upon price for the improvement.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Pillar A Complete Communities - Goal 1 To Create a sense of belonging and well-being by linking our communities together with roadways, pathways, and utilities
Pillar C Respected Environment and Agriculture - Goal 2 To ensure residential development plans incorporate relevant public amenities
Financial Impact:
Cost: up to $4,200,000 (2024 Budget), $150,000 (2023 Budget); Total amount is $4,350,000
Source of Funding: MSI Capital