Ray Gibbon Drive - update

Christmas could come a day early for St. Albert.

Mayor Nolan Crouse said today the city and province could settle the tab for Ray Gibbon Drive by Dec. 24. However, it might be a while longer before the city has cash in hand.

If you recall from earlier posts, the city requested $45 million from the province as payback for ensuring Ray Gibbon Drive can one day be converted to an eight-lane freeway. That sum represents dollars the city otherwise would not have spent for a standard two-lane road — extra land for a wider right of way, interchanges, design costs, etc.

The mayor came away from a meeting last week with Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette convinced there are no remaining political hurdles.

"Politically, we're in agreement," Crouse told the Gazette today.

Provincial bureaucrats will crunch the numbers one last time. If there are no problems, both administrations have been instructed to sign off on the funding deal by Dec. 24.

Cash in hand

Once that happens, the only remaining question is when will the city have cash in hand. The city wants to use the $45 million to pay for the lion's share of stage three costs, estimated at $47 million. Administration proposes borrowing the remaining $1.9 million.

The city wants either the cash or a commitment by Jan. 31, 2009 so construction on stage three can start next spring. The city needs to complete two lanes to Villeneuve Road to hold up its end of the agreement.

Crouse said it's possible the city will have to wait until the province has a clearer picture of its year-end surplus. Any serious delay could push construction to 2010.

Read more in Wednesday's Gazette.