Ten per cent of Airdrie infrastructure rated poor, report finds
A council report puts roughly $178.5 million in road, pipe and utility renewals on the books through 2035.
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Airdrie maintains more than 800 kilometres of pipe, most of it underground, and a new council report rates ten per cent of the city's assets poor or very poor. The 2026 State of the Infrastructure Report, accepted at council's Nov. 3 meeting, rates about 52 per cent of assessed assets good or very good and 38 per cent fair.
The portfolio covers nine asset classes with a combined replacement value of about $3 billion, and roads and underground utilities make up roughly 90 per cent of it. Team Leader of Asset Management Shawn Didluck told council much of the investment is "literally beneath our feet."
Roads present the nearer pressure. Staff project about $178.5 million in renewal work for assets already in service between 2026 and 2035, excluding growth projects. Of current road spending, $55.5 million, or 59 per cent, is for rehabilitation, which restores the surface and extends its life; the remaining $38.5 million, or 41 per cent, is for reconstruction.
Coun. Simi Obasan asked which assets are closest to sliding from fair into poor, and what the cost difference would be. Councillors also asked about fences behind homes on the golf course fairways. Didluck said the city does not own those fences, but acknowledged residents are asking the city to replace them.
Which assets are closest to tipping from fair into poor, and what would that cost to fix?
Who is responsible for the fences along golf course fairways?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
