Highway 22 is a milestone on the road to recovery

“Re-opening this key road so soon after the flood is a remarkable achievement and a major milestone in our ongoing recovery,” said Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation. “Our team, our contractors and the municipalities collaborated to restore public traffic so these communities could reconnect and regain the access needed to move forward and rebuild.”

Overnight on June 20, the Sheep River rose over the road and nearly covered the entire bridge structure. Highway 22 was closed around 5 a.m. By 10 a.m., the approach ramp and the earth supporting the bridge washed out entirely. As a result, the trip between Turner Valley and Black Diamond, only three kilometres apart, took 40 minutes.

Since the washout, crews have been working every daylight hour, up to 20 hours a day, with local crews and contractors involved. Alberta Transportation worked closely with the Municipal District of Foothills No. 31 to provide over 15,000 cubic metres of clay and base gravel to fill gaps in the road foundation.

“We have a long road to recovery ahead of us, but major steps like this help communities see a return to life before the flooding,” said Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction of Southwest Alberta. “Our government is responding promptly and providing Albertans with the tools necessary to rebuild our province and regain our high standard of living.”

An average of 8,000-9,000 local and industry vehicles cross the bridge every day, connecting thousands of Albertans to their homes, schools, businesses and the rest of the province.

Last week, access was opened to emergency vehicles only, to restore crucial safety services. By working long hours with a crew as large as available, this project was completed in three weeks - a remarkable achievement considering that under normal conditions, a project of this scale would take more than three months. Work included re-channeling the river to its pre-flood alignment, constructing a berm, restoring the bridge head slopes, backfilling abutments and constructing an approach road.

Recovery work continues on Highway 22 and other roads and bridges. More than 300 bridges are being or have been inspected in Southern Alberta.

Drivers are reminded to obey all flagpersons, signs and signals. Fines for speeding are doubled in construction zones when workers are present.

Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta’s resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Up-to-date road information, including traffic delays, is a click or a phone call away (5-1-1 toll-free). Visit 511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Melinda Steenbergen
Communications
Alberta Transportation
780-422-7070
587-990-5471
[email protected]
@ABTransComm

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.