Work is underway on Ponoka’s 50th Street rehabilitation project.
Town council recently awarded the project to Central City Asphalt with a bid of $2,379,906. The project consists of installation of a water main from 60th Avenue north across Highway 2A, storm sewer with catch basins, and a paved road with curb and gutter.
Gerald Matichuk, director of engineering and development, said there was a $17,000 difference between the two lowest bids.
The governments of Canada and Alberta will each invest up to $842,533 and the Town of Ponoka will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost of more than $2.5 million.
“We’re going to be tight with the budget we have,” he said.
Electrical conduit will be placed in the roadway for streetlights, which are not expected to be installed until 2011 unless the work comes in under budget, and then Matichuk said the town will “totally utilize the grant funds.”
The project re-routes heavy truck traffic and dangerous goods from residential areas in the community to Highway 2A.