Whether, or not to construct a road near the community of Namaka, and to pave a portion of township road 250 was part of the discussion at the February 19 meeting of Wheatland County council.

Wheatland County will be re-integrating construction of a section of Range Road 244 into their road plan.

Part of the meeting was used to review background information on the road. Right now there is an undeveloped road allowance that allows open access to the agricultural parcels for farming. According to Wheatland County's Request for Decision, the road was removed from the 10-year construction program, based on low traffic counts and benefiting areas when compared to other roads in Wheatland County.

The road requires wetland assessments, and total construction is estimated at $600,000.

Administration explained that before the road can be built, the county will need to complete the design process, and have wetland assessments.

“Earliest is probably summer of 2020 when we could start construction on this,” said Mike Ziehr, General Manager of Transportation and Agriculture.

Reeve Amber Link explained that ratepayers would like the decision made so that they can make appropriate plans. “My concern is that these people will be living in a state of limbo,” said Link.

Council asked for the road to be placed on the county’s 10-year road plan.

Range Road 250 Paving

The meeting also covered the proposed paving project for township road 250 east of Range Road 245 to Highway 21. 

There were a number of letters from local landowners expressing concerns about the paving project.

One such letter states that about 1,000 cattle are moved using township 250 and increased vehicular traffic in the area will be dangerous for livestock and farm workers.

Councillor Scott Klassen explained that the thought process behind the project was,"there was attachment to Number 1 via Range Road 245, which we all know is a high collision location."

One concern was about the negative effect the paving would have on local farm businesses located near township road 250.

Reeve Link explained that the county is trying to review the process of which the county engages landowners in regards to road projects.

County council accepted a motion to review the paving project, and take it off of the paving program excluding a portion township road 250 from RR 264 to 270. The item will be discussed at the county's next planning and priorities meeting.