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New provincial agreement denied by council

Ponoka County council had an agreement with the provincial government that once the province rebuilt and paved Secondary Highway 607

Ponoka County council had an agreement with the provincial government that once the province rebuilt and paved Secondary Highway 607 the county would assume responsibility for the road.

However, the province put one layer of asphalt down, which the county council won’t accept because it’s not up to standard of other county roads.

The original agreement specified the county would be involved in the design of the road. According to county administrator Charlie Cutforth, no one came to talk to council about what was being done.

Council withheld signing the agreement until the road was done or a cheque was sent for the cost of rebuilding the road.

The province recently presented a new agreement but Cutforth says it causes concerns.

The new agreement says that in the future, when provincial budgets permit, an overlay will be laid on the road to county standards.

Cutforth doesn’t believe this is good enough for council to accept. “When provincial budgets permit, and when might that be? Can you at least give us a maximum date.”

Without attention from either the county or the province the road is starting to break up.

Councillors decided that until the road is paved or compensation is given in lieu council will not accept the new agreement.