Anyone driving by the hamlet of Langdon in Rocky View County this week will have seen the large construction project taking place on Centre Street.

This project, one of many in the community, is meant to accommodate growth in the hamlet, which currently has a population of about 5,000 but is expected to grow to 13,000 people.

According to Rocky View County, Centre Street is being widened to accommodate future growth of the hamlet and introduce underground storm-water infrastructure to mitigate flooding risks.

CANA Management Ltd was awarded the construction contract, and construction on Centre Street is expected to end in mid-September. The project is expected to cost $5.75 million, with a commitment of $2 million in 2018 and $3.75 million in 2020, paid for from municipal and provincial funding as well as transportation levies.

The road will accommodate four lanes of traffic.

The county explains that in the meantime, business access is being maintained by staging the construction, although there are intermittent delays due to reduced lanes.

Rocky View County appreciates the cooperation of locals, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the Langdon Community Association for collaborating on this.

Langdon & District Chamber of Commerce president Alysha Bates spoke about the impact right now on the community as many businesses are located along Centre Street, “It’s definitely a huge impact to life currently. However with the goal to have it completed in September. It’s a short-term problem to a long term solution.”

She says, “Right now it’s a bit of a pain they do have it down to one lane right in front of the businesses. We are alternating traffic with a bit of a light system currently.”

She also spoke about the necessity for the work, along with other projects in town, which will work for the growing community in the long-term.

“Overall they are trying to minimize the impact on the community as much as possible. For the most part, everything is on track and hopefully, it will be back to regular access the two lanes, my understanding is within the next week.”

In terms of other infrastructure projects in the works for Langdon, a new fire hall will be built along Third Avenue, four new baseball diamonds, and plans for the design for the community highschool are being finalized as well.