The Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House multi-use trail is one step closer to becoming a reality after additional funds were allocated for the construction of a trail staging area to begin later this year.
Clearwater County council passed a motion at its June 12 meeting to re-allocate $125,588 from contingency to the economic development budget to begin the development of the staging area, where people can park their vehicles and horse or ATV trailers.
Public Works staff expect the staging area development to cost anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000.
The trail, slated to be three metres wide at minimum, is expected to cost $6.8 million.
It will largely follow an abandoned railway bed between Rocky and the hamlet of Nordegg.
Tyler McKinnon, community services manager for Clearwater County, presented the plans for the trail at council.
He noted that given the scope of the project, the trail will be completed in various stages as more funding becomes available.
Earlier this year, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation approved $50,000 in grants towards the staging area and connector section of the trail at the western end, said McKinnon.
The province also approved an additional $100,000 to go towards the trail development heading east from the Nordegg town site.
Clearwater Council also budgeted $90,000 to add to the provincial funding for the project.
The staging area will be along the Forestry Trunk Road, south of Hwy 11, in the north end of the Nordegg Industrial Subdivision. Construction will begin on two existing lots already owned by the county.
The carrying cost for these lots is valued at $62,794 each, said McKinnon.
According to Mike Haugen, Clearwater County’s community and protective services director, the first official dig for the staging area is expected to start later this year, although no exact date was given.
The trail itself will be developed later, noted Haugen.
rfrancoeur@www.reddeeradvocate.com