An estimated 3.5 million cubic metres of fill material will be moved this construction season as part of the Springbank Off-Stream Dam Project. .The contractor will need to use all good weather days to complete the work, according to a Wednesday press release. The release said earthwork operations will proceed on a 24-hour, seven-day per week schedule. .This schedule is expected to continue for the duration of the summer and end later in fall. .The release went on to say fill material from the Diversion Channel will be excavated, loaded onto trucks, and hauled to the placement area at the Springbank Dam. It added trucks will use the temporary bridge above Highway 22 constructed to remove all impacts to public traffic. .Over the course of the season, work will advance at various concrete projects onsite including the Diversion Inlet, Emergency Spillway, Debris Deflection Barrier, Service Spillway, Grade Control Structure, Auxiliary Spillway, and two bridges. Concrete pours might be completed at night. .The release acknowledged noise, dust, and changes to the landscape will be ongoing as this work is completed. Given the location of the project, it said overall impacts to the public will be minimal, but residents will notice significant activity on site. .To support construction this season, between 600 and 800 skilled workers will be onsite, including 200 to 300 earthworks labourers, 150 labourers completing civil works, 150 staff completing subcontractor specializations, and 100 staff and consultants. Indigenous people are part of the project and include personnel in all roles. .This site is a busy workspace and closed to the general public. People who choose to enter the site are trespassing and putting themselves and construction workers at risk. .The Alberta government and Tsuut’ina Nation reached an agreement to let the Springbank Dam go ahead in 2020. .READ MORE: Province and Tsuut’ina reach dam deal – but no dollar figures released.Alberta refused to release details of the agreement and how much was paid to the Tsuut’ina..“Being transparent with taxpayers must be a top priority for every government and taxpayers have a right to see any agreement that was made,” said former Canadian Taxpayers Federation Alberta director Franco Terrazzano.
