Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors announced as part of Budget 2024, it is investing $1.9 billion for planning, design and construction of major highway and bridge projects.
This investment enhances Alberta’s competitive advantage by building and improving our economic corridors to provide vital links to markets in and out of Alberta. These projects will increase the safety and efficiency of our provincial highway network, ensuring Albertans spend less time stuck in traffic and more time doing the things they love.
“Alberta’s highways connect families and friends and get local products to market. We all count on well-built roads to get where we need to go, and that is why we are investing in major upgrades to our road and bridge network. With smoother and more efficient traffic flows, families can spend less time on the road and more time together,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
Projects across the province that are receiving funding include:
- Highway 3 twinning, Taber to Burdett
- Highway 11 twinning, Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House
- Safety and road improvements on Highway 881
- The Highway 22/1A interchange at Cochrane
- Highway 40 Twinning, south of Grande Prairie
- Highway 201 Bow River Bridge on southeast Stoney Trail
- Deerfoot Trail upgrades
- Terwillegar Expansion
“Alberta is the fastest-growing province in Canada, so it’s imperative we get to work today planning, designing and building the highways and bridges we need for tomorrow. This investment from the Government of Alberta will strengthen the province’s transportation network and expand our economic corridors so we can build our businesses, boost our exports, and create good-paying jobs,” said Tim Bennett, senior vice-chair, Alberta Motor Transport Association.
As the province continues to grow, so does the need for new and improved highways to get more people and goods to their destination. Expanding Alberta’s economic corridors keeps the province connected, strengthens supply chains, and is important for economic growth and diversification. These investments will enhance Alberta’s competitive advantage, making it easier to transport goods in and out of the province.
“ACC is supportive of the capital investments the province is making in major corridors across Alberta, including Highway 3. Improving our economic corridors is critical in ensuring we have stronger supply chains and more efficient movement of goods and people,” said Shauna Feth, president and CEO, Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
Budget 2024 also looks to the future by investing $151.2 million over three years for 56 engineering projects, with $100 million in new funding over three years for 36 engineering projects to address future infrastructure needs as our province continues to grow. This will fund projects such as:
- Highway 60 capital improvements
- Highway 40 grade widening between Hinton and Grande Cache
- New intersection/alignment at Highway 16A and Range Road 20
- Highway 2 Balzac Interchange Replacement
- Highway 63 twinning, north of Fort McMurray
- Vinca Bridge replacement
“Strengthening and expanding economic corridors is a strategic priority for the EMRB. By working together, our 13 member municipalities are finding efficiencies so we can ensure people and goods can move seamlessly to, from and throughout the region. The EMRB would like to thank the Government of Alberta for its significant investment in this critical work. As the province’s population approaches five million, transportation networks have never been more important,” said Karen Wichuk, CEO, Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board.
Featured image: (Alberta Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors)
