Update from the CAO - July 3rd, 2026

CAO Donna here,

In a construction project as large as the 53rd one is here in Thorsby, there are many protocols. Construction has a lot of moving parts that are finely tuned by the Contractor but may not be understood by those watching or moving fast enough or may be delayed by weather or infrastructure challenges. I'll clarify for those in the construction zone how it works.

The contractor provides the affected residents the following:

1. Notice of construction changes expectations through letters in your front doors or mailboxes. Please be diligent in checking.
2. If there are schedule changes such as the water change this last week they will knock on your door to which they did this past week when the shut-off of water changed. Please answer it. If you are at work check for updates with your neighbour's. If you are really worried your first letter you received has the proper contact numbers and that letter is on our web site. If you are NOT in the construction zone do not phone the contractors as it doesn't affect you.
3. The chain of command on this project is:

    Pidnerhys to the affected construction zone residents
    Pidnerhys to the Towns Engineers
    Town's Engineers to CAO and Public Works Manager
    If the Town has questions we reverse the chain of command.

Council is briefed by the CAO as necessary only, by request of the Mayor. Mayor Hostyn wants to make sure there is a single point of linear messaging. Council follows the messaging protocol so there are no adverse messaging or opinion based responses. This is standard in any municipality under construction as messages must be accurate and on time.

I was invited by our Engineers yesterday to view the big main adjustments and chat with the construction foreman about the progress. The big hole they dug was that main and I had opportunity to look at how the road was as I looked down that 12 foot excavation. Nothing I didn't know already from reading the Geotechnical reports and driving on it many times HOWEVER: seeing that there was NO road bed and virtually no real road at all was sadly sobering. As I walked through the zone with the team I looked at the amount of pavement had been laid years ago which was maybe an inch laying on dirt. Sad actually.

I'm very honored to work with an administration team who worked many hard hours this last 4.5 years to stabilize this little town to be able to afford this fix. Appreciative of our Engineers and the Construction Company and their subs vested in doing this difficult job right.

There are going to be challenges this summer but we can get through it with patience. Pidherneys knows what they are doing, ATCO is moving towards completion in that area and our Engineers have a detailed project plan to which I follow daily.

Hope it stops raining... lol

-Donna Tona, CAO