Alberta Government and Road Builders Dispute for Over $ 500 Million Transaction Involving BC Firming

A battle is brewing between the Alberta government and its road builders over reports that over $ 500 million worth of road maintenance contracts are being awarded to a firm in British Columbia. British

. According to Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, Alberta companies can do the job and should have the opportunity to bid.

The badociation also claims that such a sole-source contract would violate interprovincial free trade rules and could result in lawsuits. Emcon takes over maintenance of over 40 percent of Alberta's roads over the next four to five years, according to estimates from the Association of Road Builders, which amount to 150 million dollars per year

The contracts were entered into by Carillion Canada, but this business is now under creditor protection

Frank Rizzardo, president of Emcon, has not confirmed the numbers, but says that He has already entered into a written agreement with the province pending the approval of an Ontario bankruptcy judge next week.

Mason could not be reached immediately for comment.