The County of Stettler is continuing a series of road maintenance projects this construction season, with council identifying improved drainage, road shoulder maintenance and upgrades to heavily travelled gravel roads among its top infrastructure priorities for 2026.

Director of Operations Greg Jackson presented the county's second-quarter road report during the June 24 council meeting, outlining ongoing work to improve road conditions following heavy spring rainfall.

Jackson said removing built-up dirt along road shoulders will allow water to drain more effectively from the road surface, helping extend the life of gravel roads. Approximately 50 miles of shoulder maintenance is planned on priority routes east of Highway 56 this year, with another 30 miles scheduled as work continues.

One of the county's largest projects is on Township Road 39-2, a 34-mile gravel road running east to west across the municipality. The road serves agricultural producers, acreage owners, industrial traffic and motorists travelling between Highway 12 and Highway 56 while bypassing the Town of Stettler.

Council, staff and local residents identified the road as a priority because of ongoing drainage problems and surface deterioration. Work began June 6 on the first mile east of Highway 56, the busiest section of the route, which sustained significant damage after approximately four inches of rain fell during late May and early June.

The rehabilitation includes reclaiming the existing gravel surface, removing accumulated silt and dirt, reshaping the roadway to restore proper drainage, improving ditch slopes and adding new aggregate to strengthen weak sections before the final surface is completed.

Jackson also raised concerns about motorists driving through active construction zones despite road closure and reduced speed signs. He said vehicles, including a high-clearance agricultural sprayer, have entered the work area, damaging freshly completed sections and creating safety risks for crews. County staff have also encountered individuals entering the work zone to inspect and measure the road surface.

Following construction, crews will complete ditch contouring and seed disturbed areas to reduce erosion and help control weeds.

While council accepted the report, discussion shifted to ongoing complaints from residents about the condition of several county roads, particularly Warden Road and Township Road 22-2.

Coun. James Nibourg said recurring calls from ratepayers indicate long-standing problems that have not been resolved despite repeated grading.

"When I get calls from ratepayers that don't usually call in, I listen," Nibourg said.

Jackson said staff are cataloguing complaints so council receives regular updates on problem areas.

Nibourg said Township Road 22-2 has been an issue for years and questioned why repeated grading has failed to improve conditions. He also described Warden Road as a safety concern because of mud and standing water and suggested reducing the speed limit until permanent improvements can be completed.

"We cannot come back to the same problems over and over again," he said.

Nibourg said he was frustrated by continuing complaints from residents who see lightly travelled roads receiving gravel and maintenance while busier roads continue to deteriorate.

Jackson explained one lightly travelled road had been selected as a training location for grader operators before they moved to higher-volume roads. He added that laneway grading is a paid service completed only when crews have time after priority roads have been maintained.

Nibourg said that information would have helped him respond to residents' concerns.

Council also discussed developing a more structured road maintenance policy with clear standards and performance measures to improve consistency across the county.

Coun. Adam said one of the biggest challenges is communication with residents.

"People's frustration is they don't know what's going on. We need to open that line of communication," he said.

Council agreed that residents are often frustrated by the lack of information about maintenance schedules and by what they perceive as inconsistent treatment of roads throughout the county.

Council voted to accept the second-quarter road report as presented.