EDMONTON, Alta. — Alberta politicians were bracing for a rough ride this year, and feared many of the province’s transportation projects would have to be scrapped.

However, when the fourth quarter fiscal results were crunched, the province was pleasantly surprised to find that there is still enough money to go around.

As a result, all municipalities will receive all money promised for road improvement projects, decreasing budget reductions announced Oct. 31, 2001.

Also, municipalities will receive funding equivalent to the full grant levels of the Premier’s Task Force in Infrastructure. It has widely been reported that Edmonton and Calgary have won their battle to maintain the agreement giving them five cents per litre in fuel taxes. In addition, cities, towns and villages will also receive grants based on $60 per capita and rural municipalities will receive the full amount of their formula-based grant, which is good news for road users, as much of those funds are earmarked for transportation projects.

All told, municipalities will receive $300 million for transportation projects to Mar. 31, 2003, and Alberta Transportation is promising that a significant amount of road construction will take place this year.