ATHABASCA – Athabasca County will be lobbying the provincial government for repairs to Highway 2, despite concerns from councillors about a plethora of other roads in worse condition.
During the June 26 meeting, councillors voted to send a letter to the province about the state of the highway in response to a submission from a former reeve of Athabasca County, Larry Armfelt.
“It is part of the longest highway in Alberta. The ever-increasing potholes and deterioration of the highway is obvious — both in terms of roughness and safety,” wrote Armfelt in a letter dated June 3.
“This is not a political request to Athabasca County. The amount of deterioration on Highway 2 from Athabasca south to Clyde would not be exclusive to any political stripe. This submission is strictly for the safety of all travelling public, for awareness, and for improvement.”
Armfelt said he had heard the concern from multiple Athabasca County residents, as well as Lesser Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik. Despite his concern, councillors were split on the highway, with those opposed asking if it was the best place to dedicate their resources.
“If we’re sending a letter regarding the condition of highways in the county, we should mention other ones that are in worse condition. The fact is that Highway 2 from Athabasca to about Perryvale is in relatively good condition and was recently repaved,” said Coun. Brian Hall.
“I don’t know if we’re now in the business of writing to ministers about the condition of highways that are primarily in other counties.”
An amendment proposed by Hall to include Highways 813 and 827 was defeated. Reeve Tracy Holland pointed out that Highway 813 was on Alberta Transportation's list of upcoming projects.
“If we’re adding two roads, and then we’re going to add one or two more, it takes away from the weight of that letter,” said Coun. Gary Cromwell, who also pointed out that portions of Highway 63 were in rough condition.
“If we want to do another bit of information to the Minister of Transportation afterwards, fantastic; however, this was about Highway 2. Let’s not make things more difficult or convoluted than they need to be.”
It was unclear what sections of Highway 2 council would be advocating for, but they weren’t all on board with sending a letter. Coun. Natasha Kapitaniuk said writing a letter was akin to being a, “gnat in the ear” of the minister, given the amount of lobbying council had done on roads in the past years.
“I think we should be a lot more focused on what we lobby Transportation for, instead of sending a letter at every whim and every thought that crosses this table,” she said.
The motion to have Holland send a letter passed with a 5-4 majority — Holland was joined by Cromwell, Minns, and councillors Kelly Chamzuk and Joe Gerlach. Hall, Kapitaniuk, and councillors Camille Wallach and Ashtin Anderson were opposed.
“We’re advocating for our ratepayer that brought this forward, and we’re advocating for a section of highway that is in our county, from Perryvale to south of Rochester. I don’t see why we can’t send a letter on behalf of the ratepayer,” said Coun. Rob Minns.
“If you want to advocate for another highway, go ahead and advocate for it, but keep this separate.”
