RM of Prince Albert Reeve Eric Schmalz descrbes the RM's plan to fix the roads. ((Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Road conditions

‘There is no silver bullet to this’: RM of Prince Albert commits to road improvement plan

Dec 12, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Russtan road is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

That was the comment from Ken Isbister on Tuesday while addressing the Rural Municipality (RM) of Prince Albert council.

During his five-minute presentation, Isbister raised a number of concerns with the overall state of the RM’s roads, and asked specific questions into their condition and pathways to improvement.

“Why are [divisions] 2,3 and 5 neglected? I’ve been around many of the roads in the other divisions and they are all fairly good,” he said.

Responding to Isbister’s questions, Reeve Eric Schmalz confirmed council was equally frustrated with the state of the RM’s roads and assured Isbister it was a topic covered regularly at their meetings.

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“We all live in the RM,” he said.

Citing issues with staff turnover, Schmalz explained the RM’s longtime foreman retired two years ago and since then the roads have deteriorated. A replacement was hired but quit.

“Which was a good thing because we would have mutually parted ways if he didn’t,” he said.

Ken Isbister was visibly frustrated while speaking to council. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

DJ Harris was hired on as public works director 14 months ago and Schmalz confirmed adminstration is reviewing the current policy and by the spring, aims to make recommendations with respect to changes.

“We are still working through some of the kinks to try and get our maintenance programs back on track,” Schmalz said, adding there is a learning period for someone who is new to the role and discovering the problem areas.

“Tough to be done in 10 years, let alone one,” he said. “There is no silver bullet to this.”

Further noting the 1,400 miles of roads in the RM, Schmalz said having that many roads is a wonderful thing, but also costs a lot to maintain.

Outside the council chambers, Harris followed up with Isbister and advised that when he started and did research on the roads, he discovered there was millions of dollars worth of work to do. He also confirmed a plan to have everything up to par by 2025.

Prior to coming to the RM, Harris worked in southern Alberta and has an extensive background in road maintenance. Harris also advised Isbister he enjoys meeting with the public and encouraged Isbister to call any time with questions.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell