Boom times in Alberta mean the province will put more money into crowded highways and aging schools.
A one-time release of $260 million from the provincial budget surplus will be shared for capital costs in schools, roads and medical equipment. This is money over and above what is provided for in the next capital budget.
As growth continues, maintenance is necessary and if the province delays repairs, it costs more to fix roads and buildings later, said provincial treasurer Stockwell Day in a press conference Jan. 13.
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Debt payments
The money comes from this year’s budget surplus. Day said $2 billion from the surplus is earmarked for provincial debt retirement. The remainder will be split in the following manner:
- $100 million has been allocated to elementary and high schools for modernization, new technology, additions and repairs.
Enrolment from kindergarten to Grade 12 has increased by almost five percent or an extra 21,000 students since 1994. School buildings are expected to last for about 30 years before major work is needed.
“About two-thirds of our 1,400 schools are more than 25 years old and 10 years from now 84 percent of all schools will be 25 years old,” said Day.
- $100 million is set aside for transportation to accelerate construction of multi-lanes for the north-south highway corridor and maintain municipal roads.
More people are moving into the province and more people are traveling, said Day. Between 1991 and 1996 traffic has increased by 104,000 vehicles each year on the highways.
Truck permits for overweight and over dimension loads are up as well. In 1991, 81,000 permits were issued; in 1997, 190,000 permits were issued.
“We know the effect of growth is significant on our highway system. They are literally pounding on the roads,” said Day.
Secondary roads
Transportation minister Walter Paszkowski will tell the municipalities in March how the money will be divided for the north-south highway and secondary roads, said a rural municipal official.
- $20 million goes to advanced education and career development for a knowledge network program to support post secondary institutions’ access to new learning systems. Post secondary enrolment has increased by almost five percent since 1994.
- $40 million will be spent to ensure medical equipment is Year 2000 compliant.
