Village of Chipman Applies for Grant Funding to Replace Bridge

Village of Chipman Applies for Grant Funding to Replace Bridge

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

A key piece of infrastructure within the corporate limits of the Village of Chipman needs to be replaced and it will come with a hefty price tag.

Chief Administrative Officer Pat Tomkow said the bridge, located one mile north of the Village on Range Road 185 has reached the end of its life span and needs to replaced. It is a heavily travelled and well utilized road by local agricultural producers and residents as it connects to Highway 29 and St. Michael which has a commercial feedlot and sanitary landfill nearby.

Tomkow said a grader operator noticed some separation on the bridge deck this past summer and barricades have been placed on the sides of the bridge. “It’s a way of preserving the structure,” said Tomkow.

It remains open, but is limited to one way traffic as opposed to two-way traffic. Tomkow said barricades have been in place for the past several months to help protect the infrastructure. The bridge dates back to the early sixties and Tomkow said the most viable option is replacement of the bridge given its age and condition.

The Village’s engineering firm AECOM has inspected the bridge and has completed a full assessment of the bridge. It is estimated that it will cost at least $1.2 million to replace the bridge. To that end, the Village will be forwarding an application for grant funding to the Government of Alberta under it’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program in the near future.

On Oct. 20, Tomkow sent a letter to Lamont County CAO Peter Tarnawsky outlining that information. Tomkow stated that, “In a worst-case scenario, closure of the bridge would seriously affect response time for emergency services requiring detour via alternate routes. At this juncture, and to hope -

fully advance the STIP application, the Village of Chipman is looking for a letter of support demonstrating both the economic and safety benefits of this road to county residents.”

Lamont County council has endorsed a letter of support for the grant application.