The County of Stettler received official confirmation that the Highway 855 rehabilitation project in Stettler County is part of Alberta Government’s stimulus projects improving highways and creating jobs in Alberta.
“Every region of the province has felt the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the collapse of energy prices. We are doing everything we can to get Albertans back to work, and these projects will create good jobs for Central Albertans while improving driving conditions and ensuring our important transportation corridors are ready to support the region’s businesses and job creators, once the economy recovers,” said Ric McIver, minister of transportation
Highway 855 is a well-travelled corridor used by agriculture, oil and gas industries, daily commuters and school buses as well as Canada Post.
A 10 km (six mile) section of Hwy. 855 that lies within Stettler County’s borders has presented safety concerns to our region for years.
“I’m very pleased to see the Stettler County portion of the 855 included in the Province’s Accelerated Capital Maintenance and Renewal Plan. This portion of road was beyond basic repair and the work will require rehabilitation of the base and a double seal coat. Necessary maintenance at an important time in Alberta. I’d like to thank the Minister of Transportation for addressing this in 2020,” said Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.
Council for the County of Stettler has been faithfully and passionately advocating and requesting work be undertaken to improve Highway 855, a well-used provincial transportation route in rural Alberta, for the past seven years.
“This stimulus project for our region is great news in a time when we could all use some good news. As the Council representative for Byemoor and Endiang I could not be more pleased that the Alberta Government has heard and responded to our requests for highway improvements to 855 in Stettler County. We were so pleased to hear Premier Kenney announce the stimulus program to improve provincial highway maintenance and construction. It is an excellent idea to stimulate our economy while addressing safety concerns and producing long-lasting benefits,” said Les Stulberg, Councillor for Ward 1 - Byemoor/Endiang.
Highway 855, at nearly 400 km long, is the longest secondary highway in Alberta, running from Hwy. 63 in the north at Atmore, to Hwy. 9 in the south near Hanna.