There's good news for frustrated residents and some local businesses who were left holding the bag by delays in the completion of major town construction projects.

In a press release issued this week, the town says the Centre Ave., syphon project, and Hwy. 1A enhancements are all approaching their final stages, marking a significant milestone in the town's ongoing development efforts.

Paving of the widened Centre Ave.is expected to wrap up this week, weather permitting. New sidewalks continued to be poured on Centre and 1st St. and some new ones have been added.

The sidewalk construction along Highway 1A is ongoing, complemented by landscaping efforts along the south side.

Crews are wrapping up restoration work in the surrounding park, pathways, and parking areas for the overbudget syphon project. Please respect the temporary fencing in place to protect newly landscaped areas.

In a press release, Mayor Jeff Genung says it has been a long road but in the end will be worth all the inconvenience.

"They are an example of investing in our community and catching up on our infrastructure needs. We have long-awaited their completion and I am excited to see the positive impacts they will have to keep traffic moving efficiently through Cochrane”

4th aveLandscaping and the 4th Ave. wall.

 

1A sidewalksNew sidewalks alongside Hwy. 1A.

The 4th Ave. wall is currently being prepared for the controversial addition of a $250,000 enhancement that has left some residents' reeling. On its face will be the word "Cochrane."

READ: $250,000 enhancement approved for 4th Ave. retaining wall

Longtime Cochranite Bill Gibbons, who will be driving by regularly on his way home to Sunterra Ridge, is still fuming.

"Just imagine if the 5th Ave. to 1A "Cochrane" sign was not put up, how many families could have been helped with thousands of taxpayers' dollars spent on a sign to let the public know they are now officially in Cochrane," he writes.

The town isn't deaf to what the public has been saying about the project delays. In an April report to council, town administration explained what happened.

"Administration and industry partners faced a number of challenges throughout the year, including contractor delays, unforeseen site challenges and third-party utility conflicts, disruptions in supply chain and tight labor market and impacts of road closures to residents, motorists and businesses."

To help counter these challenges, it has engaged a project management consulting firm to facilitate with administration a review of the current state of Cochrane’s project management program and to identify a proposed roadmap to advance Cochrane’s project management practices to better align with best practices in the industry.

Next up is the Historic Ranche and Glenbow pathway improvement project, scheduled to start in early July. This project includes paving of three km of pathways in Glenbow and the Historic Cochrane Ranche, as well as the replacement of four pedestrian bridges in Glenbow park that have reached the end of their lifespan.

Residents are advised that during construction there will be pathway closures and detours in place while crews work along the pathway paving and replacing bridges.