The City of Red Deer is moving forward on land expropriations to gain about 72 hectares needed to widen Hwy 11A from west of Taylor Drive to Hwy 2.
One of three local landowners, who have so far been unable to reach a purchase agreement with the city, filed a notice of objection to the expropriation.
A public hearing will have to be held on that case, city council heard on Monday. The city and landowner will each present their cases at the hearing, and an inquiry officer will look into whether the expropriation is “fair, sound, reasonable and necessary.”
Regarding the land held by the other two property owners, city council unanimously voted to move forward with expropriations. This means administration can register a Certificate of Approval to these landowners.
Council was told these expropriations are necessary so the city can maintain a manageable construction schedule; cost savings during the tender process; and maintain a consistent approach to landowner negotiations.
The owners will receive compensation, according to the Expropriation Act. If an agreement is not reached, the Land Compensation Board will determine compensation.
The twinning project will see Hwy 11A widened to four lanes from west of Taylor Drive to Gaetz Avenue (Hwy 2A). The project includes intersection improvements at Taylor Drive and Gaetz Avenue, as well as an overpass at the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway crossing.
These upgrades will help traffic flow more efficiently while also creating capacity for more development in the city’s northwest. Access to the Edgar Industrial Park and Chiles Industrial Park will be improved.
Hwy 11A also forms part of the city’s Northland Drive corridor, which will eventually provide another traffic route between northwest and southeast Red Deer.
The city will be funding about $46 million for this project. Alberta Transportation has committed $15 million and CP Railway has committed $3 million.
Construction will be spread over three years. In 2021, there is a focus on relocating utilities, clearing and detour route construction. Work on the overpass could also start in 2021 with the majority completed in 2022 and 2023.