AB Economic Fundamentals 2008-08

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Transit service use drops, community survey shows

Though the whole city knows of the transit service between Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton`s Clareview LRT station, use is on the decline, show results from the city`s annual community survey.

According to the survey, 98 per cent of respondents said they know of the transit service, but only 16 per cent of those claim to use it. In 2007, 22 per cent of those who knew of the service claimed to use it.

Randy Whillier, a computer programmer that lives in Fort Saskatchewan and commutes to Edmonton for work, said he uses the bus to get to work everyday in the winter, but only once each week in the summer.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/News/413495.html

 

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Industry expands hydrogen pipeline plans

The growth in industrial projects in the heartland has meant a pipeline set to begin construction next year is already being expanded.

Air Products Canada is adding another nine kilometres to a 34-kilometre hydrogen pipeline from its two plants located in Sherwood Park`s Refinery Row.

The expansion of the pipeline comes following discussions with one customer across the river in Sturgeon County with the prospects of more customers.

"We can`t state who the customers are, since we are still in commercial negotiations. However, it can be safe to say we are talking with several potential customers in that area," said Kassie Hilgert, Air Product`s manager of community relations.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/News/413513.html

 

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Construction of Anthony Henday NW begins today

Construction that will extend Anthony Henday Drive around the northwest portion of Edmonton will begin today, meaning Fort Saskatchewan residents will have a new route to the west side of Alberta`s capital city.

Completion is expected by November 2011, two years earlier than expected, said Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette in a news release.

"Using the made-in-Alberta P3 highway solution will mean this roadway is built two years sooner and at a cost savings for Albertans," he said.

http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/News/413516.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Hospital staying put - Stelmach says no plans to close Beaverlodge facility, but...

The doors will remain open to the Beaverlodge hospital but there are no plans to replace the aging facility – at least for the next five years. "As to a new facility, I cannot commit until we meet the commitments that are in the capital plan at the moment," explained Premier Ed Stelmach, while in Grande PrairieThursday. "It will take a few years to complete what is on the table today. There was some fear about closing the hospital and it`s just not true." The premier made no new promises but reaffirmed the government`s commitment to its capital plans – which includes the anticipated Peace Country Regional Hospital in Grande Prairie. The premier said the construction component of its capital plan is the largest investment ever in public infrastructure with a budget of $22.2 billion.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1140751

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Nampa water treatment improved

PEACE RIVER – Nampa`s water treatment plant received a number of upgrades this year, including some that enable the facility to increase flow and quality. Northern Sunrise County council was recently updated about the upgrades, required to keep the village`s water supply functioning at peak capacity until it is joined to the municipality`s new water treatment facility.Administrator Bob Miles explained to council the upgrades, recommended by Associated Engineering, included increased chemical dosages and the additional of a fourth chemical, the overhaul of a gas chlorine system, replacement of two chemical pumps and the additional of new injection points. "Basically this is a good news story," Miles said, adding "Based on this information we`ll be able to get capacity out of it."

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1140589

 

[joeiannuzzi]

New buses for city, hospital permits passed

Some transit riders will be passengers in new buses next year after the City of Grande Prairie purchases four new units, two of which will be used on new routes.City council`s public works committee approved the purchase worth more than $1.6 million Tuesday. About $1.4 million of the cost will come from gas tax revenue while the rest will come from the city`s transit reserve. The purchase still needs the approval of city council. The four 40-foot low-floor engine-diesel buses, with a seating capacity of about 37 customers, are expected to be delivered in June 2009. Two of the buses will replace older ones while the other two are additions to the GP Transit fleet, to be used to increase service levels.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1138500

 

[joeiannuzzi]

City ponies up, now it`s up to the feds - $500,000 approved for Community Village

The City of Grande Prairie will allocate $500,000 within the next two years to upgrade Community Village, hoping the money will serve as leverage to obtain federal government funding.With the city investing half-a-million dollars, it is expected the federal government will fork over $1.5 million towards the project. City council accepted a recommendation Monday evening from its community development committee, which was told the grant application has to be in by early September before the federal government – under its Major Project Enabling Accessibility funding program – makes its decision at the end of that month.

http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleD....aspx?e=1135174

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Northwest road gains ground

High River council chambers were surprisingly quiet Monday night, as councillors passed the first reading on three bylaws, tentativly approving the design of a road in the northwest. Councillors suggested extending High Country Drive to an intersection with the Eagleview subdivision. And that`s the plan they tentatively approved Monday.
It was a different scene eight months ago, when northwest residents voiced their concerns about the development of the land bordered by Lineham Acres to the south, 7th Avenue to the west and Highway 2A to the east.

http://www.highrivertimes.com/News/412899.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Hope for Lacombe Lake

Residents worried about preserving Lacombe Lake were given a glimmer of hope last week, when Lacombe County council agreed not to divert water from Whelp Creek into Lacombe Lake.

After hearing a report from Keith Boras, environmental and protective services manager with the county, council acted on his recommendations not to divert water from the lake unless the lake levels become extremely low.

http://www.lacombeglobe.com/News/412733.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

New recreational facility becoming reality

The steel is up, work is being done, and the site is changing everyday.

The Black Gold Enhanced Recreational Facility is starting to take shape as the area is more than just a site, but a place where a dream is becoming a reality.

Roger Smolnicky, project construction manager for the facility, recently gave the Rep a tour of the site, and an update regarding their timeline.

"I started last August, and at that time they were doing request proposals for the construction management and architecture firm," he said.

The community had gone through an extensive consultation process, which Smolnicky said was important to getting the project right.

http://www.leducrep.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1138853

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Reclaiming lost ground

The reclamation of some of the city`s prime real estate is moving ahead one bucket at a time.
The former Kodiak refinery, located across from the Power Centre on Highway 16 west, has been undergoing reclamation since 1996 and was set to be done by this year.
Graham White, Husky Energy spokesperson, said the the project has been delayed by adding two more parcels of land to the project, extending the timeline for an as yet undetermined period.
The provincial government asked Husky to add the Elsro and bulk plant properties to the remediation project.
"I guess a good analogy is renovating your house, sometimes you don`t know what you are going to find; it can take longer than you planned to do that," said White. "In some cases we are finding that more intensive remediation is required."

http://www.meridianbooster.com/News/412940.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Town makes highway discovery

The Town of Mayerthorpe will be receiving approximately $90,000 from Alberta Transportation after discovering a local highway should have been maintained by the province for more than 30 years.
After a lengthy investigation on the matter, the town has revealed that Highway 22 (Denny Hay Drive) is a provincial highway and that the town should no longer be responsible for paying all of the yearly upkeep on the highway.
Minister of Alberta Transportation, Luke Ouellette, explained that Alberta Transportation replaces the Town of Mayerthorpe in Clause #8 as being responsible for 50 per cent of the cost of maintenance and operation of the Canadian National Railway crossing on Highway 22.

http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/News/412889.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Rural communities need long-term planning says expert

Development is all around the Peace County, but one man warns development without a longterm plan can hurt communities.

Avi Friedman made a presentation on healthy rural development to Northern Sunrise County council recently.

The international architect and author stressed the importance of building communities, not isolation.

In particular Friedman talked about the situation facing Northern Sunrise County -- how to recruit young families to the region, while at the same time caring for the ever-increasing number of elderly.

http://www.peacecountrysun.com/News/413279.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Area rail gets improvements

Rail lines in the Peace area are getting some much-needed improvements. CN announced last week they`re investing $15.6 million on infrastructure.

"This year`s work includes replacing 20 track miles of rail, the installation of 95,000 wooden ties, roadbed improvements with the addition of more than 45,000 cubic yards of crushed rock, as well as upgrades to crossings, signal equipment, bridges and other infrastructure." States a press release from CN.

CN`s regional manager of public affairs Kevin Franchuk explained the line was purchased from Mackenzie Northern in 2006.

This is an existing line we`re rehabilitating," said Franchuk.

"The line was badly in need of repair.

"Since purchasing the former Mackenzie Northern shortline in 2006, CN has invested $38 million to improve transit times and service consistency," states the release.

http://www.prrecordgazette.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1137162

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Council turns down industrial camp

Industrial and residential aren`t going to be combined within Northern Sunrise County, at least not at the Gateway Industrial Park, after a proposed change to the municipality`s land use bylaw was defeated last week.

Council defeated a motion to rezone a parcel of land in the Sunrise Gateway Business Park from Rural Industrial District to Direct Control. The change would have allowed the landowner, PineRidge Logging, to develop a 25-person industrial work camp on the land.

"I think the concerns council had," said Reeve Agnes Knudsen, "is this is an industrial area. If we allow you to put a camp on your property, we`re beginning to mix residential with industrial."

Knudsen added council would then have to consider the same exceptions for other property owners.

"How do we not allow this for someone else?" she questioned.

http://www.prrecordgazette.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1137151

 

[joeiannuzzi]

County road paving projects in the air

A number of paving projects in Northern Sunrise County are up in the air after provincial grant funding was denied for the projects.Council heard they didn`t receive approval for the roads from Alberta Transportation, as they don`t meet a minimum average of 400 vehicles per day. The grants applied for were under the province`s resource road funding program. Council discussed the issue at its July 24 meeting, and agreed to revisit the projects during next year`s road construction planning. They`d applied for funds to pave North and South Harmon Valley Roads, the landfill access road, and Range Road 192. The funds would have provided 50 per cent of the paving projects` cost.

http://www.prrecordgazette.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1137152

 

[joeiannuzzi]

MD bylaw continues to restrict business

A bylaw prohibiting small-scale wind energy turbines from being hooked up to the grid in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek isn`t just causing trouble for utilities company Enmax.
Last week the Echo reported on Enmax`s proposal to introduce a pilot program to the municipality distributing small scale windmills to householders. Those plans have been put on hold until the municipality removes a clause from its land-use bylaw prohibiting householders from owning small wind energy conversion systems that are linked to the grid. Bob Ryziuk who sells and installs the same type of turbines as those being used on the Enmax project, says his business has also had to be put on hold until the MD changes its laws. Ryziuk says he has four small turbines waiting in his garage in Cowley, that he cannot go ahead and install until the changes are made.

http://www.pinchercreekecho.com/News/413181.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

More transit considered for the city

The Spruce Grove Chamber of Commerce is soliciting residental feedback about regional bus services for the next few weeks.

According to executive director Brenda Johnson, intercity bus services may need to be expanded for commuters.

"It totally enhances business as a whole," she explained.

"It`s huge for us."

Johnson said that better services between Spruce Grove, Acheson and Stony Plain would allow workers to get to jobs and would also benefit patrons with more parking spaces.

As of Tuesday afternoon only 22 people had voted in the online survey with six saying they would never use the bus service and six saying they would occasionally use it.

http://www.stonyplainreporter.com/Top%20Stories/413221.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Lethbridge landfill tipping fees set for major increase

A near three-fold increase for the tipping fees at the Lethbridge landfill scheduled for the new year will definitely have an impact on the County of Vulcan, said Dick Ellis, general manager for the Vulcan District Waste Commission (VDWC).
"Now we`ll be paying what the rest of the province is," he said. "It`s unfortunate it`s happening at once."
The waste transfer stations in Vulcan County are temporary dump sites from which truck loads of garbage are then sent to the Lethbridge landfill.
There are three options concerning the levied tipping fees, Ellis said.
Simply pay the levied rate, take waste-to-energy more
seriously and build a facility, or start up a locally owned and
operated landfill -- which Ellis was reluctant to even offer as an option. Not only is landfilling expensive, but it`s also less than an ideal solution, he said.

http://www.vulcanadvocate.com/News/413147.html

 

[joeiannuzzi]

Gas wells drilled near Gwynne

Residents of Gwynne had their questions answered about 30 new gas wells being drilled in the area.
Direct Energy Resources (DER) held an open house at the Gwynne Community Church July 23 to address the projects they have started and will be starting in the region.
"Generally, we like to get questions answered, if there are any, in advance of the operation," said Larry Malowany, Direct Energy VP Engineering.
"We`d rather the public have a chance to digest what we are doing, instead of just showing up and just doing it."
Direct Energy had a number of specialists on hand including: a geologist, operations manager, a driller, those involved in completion`s of the well, pipeline specialists and surface rights managers.

http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/News/412695.html