The Government of Alberta released it's 2020 budget Thursday afternoon and the City of Airdrie will see some funding for the 40th Avenue overpass, but it might not be exactly what was expected.

According to the Province’s Capital Plan documents, the city is expected to receive $3 million this year, and $7.1 million next year for a “QEII and 40th Avenue Interim Ramp”, not the overpass the City has been requesting.

Mayor Peter Brown said the City has been fighting for funding for an overpass and interchange at 40th avenue for more than a decade.

This year, the city even offered to pay half the cost by putting forward $32.5 million in the City of Airdrie’s 2020 budget, with the hopes the government would fund the other half.

MLA Angela Pitt said while understands it is less than what the City wanted, it's the first time she's seen any funding for the project for Airdrie.

“It was so exciting to see that Airdrie was finally on a capital list in this budget, something that I haven’t seen in that budget in the last five year’s since I’ve been in this position,” Pitt said.

“It’s not the full cost of this project as provincial finances did not allow for that, but for the first time in a very, very long time we have the province at least partnering with our city for some of these projects we need in town.”

Pitt says there’s still a chance there could be more funding in the future for a full Interchange and overpass, but it will depend on the economy and how the province is doing financially.

It’s unclear exactly what an interim ramp would look like, but Pitt says details should be forthcoming in the near future.

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie tweeted out his support for the provincial funding. "Our UCP gov is pleased [sic] provide an interim solution to alleviate traffic issues in Airdrie," Guthrie wrote. "MLA Pitt & I are thankful to the Minister McIver for recognizing the magnitude of Airdrie’s traffic issues & finding a result at 40th ave."

With advocation from Mayor Brown & council our UCP gov is pleased provide an interim solution to alleviate traffic issues in Airdrie.MLA Pitt & I are thankful to the Minister McIver for recognizing the magnitude of Airdrie’s traffic issues & finding a result at 40th ave. #airdrie pic.twitter.com/L7jzlbBsO6 — Peter Guthrie (@PeterGuthrie99) February 27, 2020

We have reached out to Mayor Peter Brown for comment.

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