By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Widening of Whoop-Up Dr. and Metis Trail To Start in 2017

Aug 22, 2016 | 5:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The widening of Metis Trail and Whoop-Up Drive will occur sooner rather than later.

City Council has approved a plan to fast track the widening of Whoop-Up Drive and the completion of sections of Metis Trail beginning in 2017.

Byran Buzunis, Project Manager, said that planners saw the opportunity to take advantage of the current slowing construction environments that pose competitive pricing while also avoiding future inflation costs.

“The entire community will not only benefit from having no extra taxation on the new start date, but they will also benefit from having more routes available to them at a closer date.”

City Council has explored the option of constructing a third bridge, but with the price tag $80-million more than the proposed twinning, Councilors decided to give the nod to the latter.

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The approximately $20-million project is set to be funded by off-site levies and transportation pay-as-you-go methods to make initial interest payments.

Mayor Chris Spearman said that Council approved the fast-track plan after seeing the results from the 2016 City Census which pegged West Lethbridge as the fastest growing community in the city.

“If we’re already having trouble on Whoop-Up Drive West once we open the Leisure Complex, once the commercial development is up and housing increases the problems will compact. This will help EMS and also help to reduce residents short-cutting through certain neighbourhoods.”

The widening is expected to help alleviate congestion in time for the new West side Leisure Complex scheduled to open in 2018.