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“The timelines for expenditures need to be considered along with other projects that are under discussion in our five-year capital plan, even our 10-year capital plan. And it (southwest ring road) is one of the projects on the list that we’re reviewing.”

But Rachel Notley, leader of Alberta’s New Democrats, argued that while putting off promised capital work isn’t new for the provincial Tories, this particular economic slowdown is a good time to continue projects.

“If you do move ahead with infrastructure when the economy slows, you can do it less expensively,” she said.

“You may take on debt in the short term but you will be able to construct at a time when costs are low.

“Projects should be continued, not abandoned.”

The southwest ring road was set to begin construction in 2016 after the province was finally able to reach a long-awaited agreement after decades of negotiations with the Tsuu T’ina Nation.

The deal, put together in October 2013, gives Tsuu T’ina $275 million, and another $65 million to move homes, businesses and infrastructure, and to cover other expenses. It also gives the band about 2,150 hectares of property, which is currently Crown land.

Photo by Gavin Young / Calgary Herald

In return, the province gets about 425 hectares on the city’s edge to build the southwest ring road; itguarantees new nation property will become reserve land, and it must build interchanges to the freeway. Alberta also has an obligation to have the road complete and open for traffic within seven years of the landtransfer, otherwise the land reverts back to the nation.