Chin Reservoir approved for new Hwy 36 bridge

Times File Photo

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The massive Chin Expansion Project spearheaded by the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) will be complemented by a new Highway 36 bridge if all goes according to plan. The project will include a new east dam and a reservoir restructuring which will vastly increase the regional water storage capacity. After construction, the reservoir’s full supply level will be raised about 2.6 metres to 864 metres. Enlarging the reservoir will increase the surface area of Chin Reservoir by 42 per cent.

 In October, a local sent the Taber Times a picture of a barge on the reservoir water and the paper contacted SMRID GM David Westwood to ask if the vessel was part of the District’s expansion project. Westwood said, “I believe this barge was hired by Alberta Transportation to do some test drilling in the reservoir floor to gather information for the proposed Hwy 36 bridge renovation/replacement. We granted them permission to enter the reservoir.”

 “They had this project on their radar prior to our announcement of the Chin Reservoir Expansion but are working with us to attempt to sync the timing of that project with our project,” Westwood said.

 Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors confirmed Westwood’s statement. Husam Khalo, press secretary to the minister of transportation, said, “The design is currently in the preliminary design phase with the geotechnical investigation underway with the barge to acquire sub-surface information for the design of the bridge foundations.”

 Khalo said that the bridge was approved in the 2023 budget and the design work began in the summer of that year. “A detailed cost estimate hasn’t been developed just yet,” he said when asked about the price.

 A new bridge was deemed necessary to accommodate an increase in the reservoir’s capacity, which will rise significantly.

In early September, ReNew Canada reported that global engineering consultancy COWI had been retained by Alberta Transportation for the project. COWI was said to be handling the preliminary engineering, detailed design, contract tendering, and construction supervision, including post-construction and warranty inspection.

 Increasing the storage capacity of the reservoir will allow for more irrigated acres to be implemented on agricultural land and improve the region’s ability to withstand both flood and drought conditions. Westwood is hopeful that by the end of 2024 the District will have an indication of the project’s status. If the project’s environmental impact assessment meets the necessary criteria, an official approval by early 2025 would put the project on pace to begin construction in 2026.