Mackenzie County Reeve, Josh Knelsen is looking forward to a new way to cross the Peace River.
After meetings with the province, Transportation Minister, Ric McIver tabled the Financing Alberta’s Strategic Transportation (FAST) Act, which would allow for user-fees to help pay for infrastructure.
McIver says in a statement existing lanes and bridges will not be subject to tolls, and that there must be a toll-free route available as well.
“The FAST Act will add to government-funded infrastructure, meaning faster commutes and less congestion while unleashing economic potential through speeding up commerce,” says McIver.
“Importantly, those Albertans who do not wish to pay user fees will still have toll-free alternatives. If you do not wish to pay a toll in Alberta, you will not have to pay a toll. Period.”
Knelsen says he was first told that the project could not be financed 100 percent by tax dollars because the 400 vehicles-per-day doesn’t justify the cost.
“They (government) were very clear with us that we didn’t have the numbers that supported the spending of $200 million here,” says the reeve.
“The community did not want to hear anything about another ferry so following discussions with the community, the province and industry, we said ‘hey, how about a toll bridge?’’’
Knelsen says the province asked county officials if they were serious, and now Knelsen feels the government is as excited about the proposal as the county.
NDP Transportation Critic, Rod Loyola did not specifically oppose the Tompkins Crossing bridge, but voiced his concerns with the concept.
“Make no mistake; Tompkins Crossing is the first of Jason Kenney’s toll roads, but it will not be the last,” says Loyola.
Loyola referenced a letter sent to the county by McIver in August which indicated that the road may not get built at all if left completely to government finances, but if user-fees were involved, construction could begin in the spring.
“This is almost like blackmail,” said Loyola.
“McIver says a project he couldn’t justify building can jump to the front of the queue if the community submits to tolling.”
“This sends a clear message to municipalities across Alberta that their critical economic projects will drop down the priority list unless they submit to tolls.”
Knelsen says while no firm dates have been set, he is hopeful of being able to drive across the bridge in around seven years.
He points out that a new ferry was not something the community was interested in.
“Even in the summertime, if the water is too high, or too low, or if there is debris so it’s not as reliable a means of getting across the river as a bridge.”
Knelsen also pointed to safety issues as well.
“The now, there are people living in the back corners of the county so it’s a couple of hours to the hospital if they are having a baby,” he says.
“Each and every single year, we have children being born on the roadside, which is a huge concern!”
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
