The City of Cold Lake wants to be proactive when it comes to road repairs. In its 2018 budget, $2.2 million has been put aside for capital road infrastructure improvements.
An engineering software driven along all of the city’s roads is used to analyze their condition and identify where is in need of an overlay. That process is used to extend the lifespan of a road before it needs replacing.
“Staff have put a lot of research into the city’s road program and we are starting to see the full benefit of their hard work,” says Mayor Craig Copeland. “Maintenance projects are chosen based on what work will best extend the life of the roadways, and this allows the city to get the most mileage possible from our community’s tax dollars.”
It’s estimated $1.75 million dollars is needed annually to maintain the current road conditions, and between grants and city funding that much has been allocated. The annual road maintenance budget has also been increased from $125,000 to $175,000. Another $400,000 has been earmarked for improving commercial and residential lanes.
“Lots of laneways are looking better, but we know there is still more work to do,” explains Copeland. “We saw an opportunity to streamline these programs and continue to make progress on our laneways. Staff will make decisions on which lanes to improve based on the budget and the locations that need it most.”
A self-contained asphalt repair unit will also be added to help with pothole repairs.