Red Deer Minute: Bridge Upgrades, Flood Mitigation, and Canada Day Festivities

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• Happy Canada Day! Festivities at Bower Ponds will run from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm concluding with fireworks. The event will feature entertainment on the outdoor stage, food booths, bouncy castles, and activities hosted by the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Shuttle buses will operate from Sorenson Station to the event every 15 minutes from 10:00 am until midnight for a $1 fare.
  
  
• Several road closures are scheduled across the city starting today, primarily for Canada Day festivities and infrastructure repairs. These closures include Kerrywood Drive, 47 Street/45 Street (Capstone Loop), Gilbert Crescent, Galbraith Street, Mitchell Avenue, Munro Crescent Intersection, and others, affecting various dates until mid-July. Residents can find more details on these closures and construction updates on the City’s website.
  
  
• Several road closures are scheduled across the city starting today, primarily for Canada Day festivities and infrastructure repairs. These closures include Kerrywood Drive, 47 Street/45 Street (Capstone Loop), Gilbert Crescent, Galbraith Street, Mitchell Avenue, Munro Crescent Intersection, and others, affecting various dates until mid-July. Residents can find more details on these closures and construction updates on the City’s website.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, joined Mayor Ken Johnston and other officials to announce $11.1 million in federal funding for upgrades to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) pedestrian bridge. The City of Red Deer will contribute $8.6 million to the project aimed at preserving and extending the life of the historic structure. Initially built in 1908, the bridge was repurposed as a pedestrian pathway in 1991 and now requires significant repairs to avoid structural failure. The rehabilitation will involve constructing new piers, adding a new deck, and shifting the bridge slightly downstream to ensure its longevity. Completion of the project is targeted for early 2026, with the tender phase expected to conclude by the end of this year.
  
  
• It was announced that a $5-million flood mitigation project will begin this summer to protect Red Deer's wastewater treatment plant from rising waters. The City of Red Deer hired Pidherney Construction to build a one-kilometre berm between the plant and the Red Deer River. This berm aims to prevent major floods from shorting out the plant's equipment and contaminating the river. Funded by COVID-related federal and provincial grants, the project is expected to be completed before winter. Additionally, the City plans to design another berm to protect the Civic Yards, with construction anticipated in the coming years.
  
  
• The City announced that it will be bringing back the popular Meet Me at the Park drop-in recreation program this summer. This program offers a variety of activities in rotating park locations from July 2nd to August 30th. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, and nature-focused events, aimed at fostering community, encouraging physical activity, and promoting social interaction. You can find the full schedule and additional details on the City’s website.

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