Not only did it generate a lot of controversy, now the Stickle Road extension is going to cost a lot more money.

The cost to extend Stickle Road to 20th Street behind Rona in the Anderson Subdivision has jumped by 50 per cent.

Stickle Road has long been a dangerous intersection for anyone wanting to make a left-hand turn toward the city on Highway 97.

Much debate went into how to fix the hazardous intersection with many people wanting a stop light, but the idea was rejected by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Other plans were presented and rejected before officials decided on the road extension.

That drew the ire of many people who wanted to save the green space that paralleled the highway, but in the end, construction began and a portion of the green space was plowed under.

Originally, the project was slated to cost $9.5 million, but that price has ballooned to $15 million.

According to the MOTI, the project was tendered twice; each time there was low interest by contractors and bid prices were substantially higher than the ministry’s estimate. Due to the increased bids prices, the MOTI adjusted its cost estimates to complete the 20th street construction.

Of the $15 million price tag, $13.5 million will cover the cost of the main work, with an additional $1.5 million from the rehabilitation program required to resurface the exiting four lanes through the intersection.

MOTI officials said they have taken environmental concerns to heart and “has taken a number of steps to mitigate environmental impacts, including implementing a comprehensive environmental management plan.”

The ministry is working with Ducks Unlimited to develop new wetland habitat that is three times the amount of wetland habitat that will be impacted, to ensure critical habitat will be there for the animals in the area.