The Municipal District of Opportunity council has approved a $210,000 contract to replace and pave the Grassy Way culvert in Red Earth Creek, fast-tracking the work to finish before school buses return to the roads.

During their Aug. 24 meeting at the Calling Lake Community Complex, council voted in favour of hiring Orbit Construction Services Ltd. to complete the overdue capital project.

In a written report to council, Director of Public Works Kimball Newberry says the culvert replacement has experienced several delays. Orbit Construction was already working nearby in Red Earth Creek and offered to remove the old pipe, install the new culvert, rebuild the road base, and pave the surface with asphalt.

The contractor estimated the work will take between seven and 10 days, allowing the road to reopen before the start of the school year.

The municipality has already purchased the required materials. The replacement culvert is currently in Red Earth Creek, and gravel has been stockpiled at the local municipal yard.

The project had $327,000 remaining from its original $381,000 budget, leaving sufficient funds to cover the installation and remaining gravel hauling expenses.

Councillor Brendan Powell made the motion to award the contract to Orbit Construction, which was carried unanimously.

Beyond the culvert project, council reviewed several other road and infrastructure issues across the municipality.

Public works officials noted that planned upgrades along Mistassiniy Road in Wabasca will improve the walking path and prevent seasonal pooling and flooding.

Council also received an update regarding the busy four-way stop and bridge approaches in Wabasca. Newberry recently spoke with Alberta Transportation representatives, who confirmed the provincial government will carry out the necessary repairs on the provincial intersection and bridge approaches this year. An engineering assessment for the bridge at Sam G. Park remains underway.

During the council roundtable, Councillor Marcel C. Auger raised safety concerns about visibility along local transportation routes. Auger said tall grass and heavy brush along provincial highways and around traffic signs have gone untrimmed, creating potential hazards for motorists.

Meanwhile, the municipality is dealing with vehicle shortages in its community transit fleet.

Chief Administrative Officer Chad Tullis said two municipal buses are currently out of service and undergoing repairs in Calgary and Athabasca. Tullis said the fleet is aging and replacements are difficult to source.

The shortage has been further strained by local events and extra travel demand, including visiting exchange students from Spain. To maintain community transportation services, the M.D. is currently paying $2,500 per day to rent replacement buses.

By Armaan Khanna, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Original Published on Sep 09, 2026 at 11:00

 

This item reprinted with permission from   Lakeside Leader   Slave Lake, Alberta

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