More than $236 million in grants will support 125 local transportation and water infrastructure projects in small and rural communities across Alberta, which will create hundreds of jobs and support growing communities. This funding is critical to ensuring Alberta communities have safe and efficient local roads, bridges, and community airports to attract further investment and improve travel safety.
The funding will be distributed via the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) and Water for Life program. STIP provides grants to small and rural municipalities to maintain and improve local road bridges, community airports and local resource roads. AMWWP and the Water for Life program provide grants to municipalities to assist in the construction of high-priority municipal water supply and treatment facilities, as well as wastewater treatment and disposal facilities.
“These provincial grants will help local communities repair aging infrastructure and build capacity for future population and economic growth. Upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure, airports, bridges and roads will improve Albertans’ quality of life and improve everyday travel.”
A total of 86 local road, bridge, and community airport projects are receiving funding this year under STIP. They include a $906,000-grant for a runway paving project at Big Bend Airport in Red Deer County, a $4.8-million grant for a bridge replacement in East Prairie Metis Settlement, and a $2.4-million grant for Range Road 92 and Township Road 730 improvements in Grande Prairie County. Additionally, a $2.8-million grant is being provided for highway service road paving in Valleyview, which will improve the road surface and durability to support increased traffic volumes in the region.
“Sustaining vital infrastructure is a key priority for Parkland County and we are thankful to have received funding from the Government of Alberta’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program to help extend the life cycle of critical infrastructure throughout the County. Programs such as STIP are essential in allowing municipalities to meet the needs and safety of residents and businesses while enhancing economic growth in our region.”
Funding is being provided for 39 water and wastewater projects this year in small and rural communities across Alberta.
Approved projects under the Water for Life program include a $14.9-million grant to Athabasca County for construction of the Island Lake Regional Water Extension, which will supply water to six summer villages from the ASPEN Regional Water Services Commission in Athabasca. Additionally, a $13.7-million grant will support the construction of a regional waterline from the Town of High River to the Town of Nanton, helping to address water supply issues in Nanton.
“We appreciate the Government of Alberta’s continued support of projects that address the local infrastructure needs of small and rural communities. With funding provided through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program, we can move forward with critical projects in Brazeau County, including restoring the Lindale-Modeste bridge which area residents and businesses rely on to get to school and work.”
An $8-million grant is also being provided to the West Inter-Lake District Regional Water Commission under the Water for Life program to support the last phase of an extensive regional water system project covering the inter-lake district, east of Edmonton. This last phase consists of the expansion of the waterline from the West Inter-Lake District regional water system from Alberta Beach along the south shore communities of Lac Ste. Anne to a truck fill station to be built at Darwell.
“Rural municipalities manage massive infrastructure networks that provide industry with access to natural resources and markets. Provincial funding helps rural municipalities build and maintain these networks. We look forward to working with the Government of Alberta to ensure these programs continue to meet rural municipal needs.”
Approved projects under the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership include a $4.5-million grant to the Town of Coaldale for a new treated reservoir and pump station, a $2.5-million grant to the Town of Didsbury for a new reservoir to address current capacity and fire-fighting deficiencies with the town’s existing system, and a $2.5-million grant to the Village of Stirling for a potable water pipeline and reservoir upgrades, ensuring the community has reliable access to clean drinking water.
This funding is included in Budget 2024 and is part of the Alberta government’s commitment to supporting rural and small municipalities in building and maintaining critical local transportation, and water and wastewater infrastructure.
Quick facts
Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) grants:
- 86 projects approved for 2024 will receive a total of $65.8 million in funding under the following STIP components:
- Local Road Bridge projects – 72 projects receiving $47.3 million in provincial funding.
- Community Airport Program – Five projects receiving $4.5 million in provincial funding.
- Local Municipal Initiatives – Seven projects receiving $8.8 million in provincial funding.
- Resource Road Program – Two projects receiving $5.2 million in provincial funding.
Water grants:
- The 39 water and wastewater infrastructure projects approved for 2024 will receive $170.3 million:
- 21 projects will receive about $101.9 million under the Water for Life program; and
- 18 projects will receive about $68.4 million through AMWWP.
Related information
- Budget 2024
- Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program
- Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership
- Water for Life
Related news
- Keeping critical water infrastructure afloat (March 15, 2024)