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$535M invested in Alberta highway projects

April 20, 2017  By Government of Alberta


Highway 16 west of Edmonton Photo: Andrew Snook/Rock to Road

April 20, 2017 – The governments of Canada and Alberta are investing in well-planned infrastructure that will make it easier to move people and products across the country, while supporting sustained economic growth and productivity for years to come.

Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Brian Mason, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, have announced funding for 10 bundled highway rehabilitation and improvement projects in Alberta, totalling 96 subcomponent construction projects across the province.

“The Government of Canada’s investments in trade and transportation infrastructure will build stronger, more efficient transportation corridors to regional and international markets and help Canadian business to compete, grow, and create more jobs for Canada’s middle class. These investments in highway infrastructure across Alberta will support economic growth and provide safer and more efficient transportation routes for Canadians,” said Sohi.

The federal government is providing funding for up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for these projects — nearly $255 million — and the Government of Alberta is investing more than $279 million. The projects have a combined total estimated cost of $535 million.

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Highways form the backbone of the provincial transportation network and support national, provincial and regional economic activity. When the roads, bridges and intersections that make up this network are properly maintained, there is less wear and tear on vehicles, better traffic flow, and reduced future maintenance costs. These investments will help businesses across agricultural, manufacturing and resource industries access local, regional, national and international markets, while making it safer and more efficient for all highway travellers.

“By working with our federal counterparts, we are able to do even more to improve highways, connect communities and enhance the movement of goods and services across Alberta. This joint investment supports nearly 100 road and bridge projects from Taber to Peace River and dozens of communities in between as we work to make lives better right across the province,” added Mason.

“These infrastructure projects will help keep Albertans working at a time when the heavy construction industry is struggling with spending cuts in the energy and residential sectors. The projects will also pay long-term dividends by supporting new economic growth while reducing congestion and increasing safety for Albertans,” said Jim Rivait, CEO of the Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association.

All 10 project bundles, comprised of 96 subcomponent construction projects, announced today were approved under the Highways and Roads category of the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. Under the program, the Government of Canada is contributing up to 50 percent—nearly $255 million—of total eligible costs and the Government of Alberta is investing more than $279 million.

Highway 2 Project Bundle
This bundle involves the improvement of eight components along Highway 2 (QEII), a core route on the National Highway System that links Edmonton to Calgary. Approximately 113 kilometres of the highway will be repaved, and a new southbound lane will be added in Leduc County to address congestion issues. Highway 2 is part of the CANAMEX Trade Corridor, linking Canada to the United States and Mexico. The natural gas, oil, agricultural and forestry industries all rely on Highway 2 to support operations. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $18,308,500 for this project and the Government of Alberta will invest $22,496,500. The bundle of eight components has a total estimated cost of $40,805,000.

Highway 43 Project Bundle
Highway 43 is part of the CANAMEX Trade Corridor and is a crucial trade route for the natural resources industries in Northwest Alberta. This bundle involves repaving approximately 53 kilometres along the highway, as well as nearly 24 kilometres of final paving work. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $13,349,500 for this project and the Government of Alberta will invest $14,612,500. The bundle of six components has a total estimated cost of $27,962,000.

Highway 63 Project Bundle
This bundle includes three subcomponents: replacing two culverts with a new bridge over the Hangingstone River southbound on Highway 63, and second-stage paving on two sections of Highway 63—one near the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray) and one in Athabasca County near the Town of Grassland. Part of Canada’s National Highway System, Highway 63 is the main road through Fort McMurray where it serves travellers commuting to and from Northern Alberta and is vital to supporting Alberta’s oil sands. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $29,883,000 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $31,160,000. The project, comprised of three bundled components, has a total estimated cost of $61,043,000.

Northern Alberta Highway Rehabilitation Project Bundle
This bundle consists of 13 highway rehabilitation components that total approximately 228 kilometres of overlay on various segments of highways north of Highway 16, in addition to one component that involves approximately 5.1 kilometres of grade widening and intersection improvements in Sturgeon County. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $45,776,500 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing up to $50,961,000, including up to $750,000 in municipal contributions. The bundle of 14 components has a total estimated cost of $96,738,000.

Peace Region Highway Rehabilitation Project Bundle (2018)
Seven highway components spanning five municipalities in Northern Alberta will be repaved as part of this project. This adds up to approximately 122 kilometres of improved highway in Saddle Hills, the County of Northern Lights, the County of Grande Prairie No. 1, the M.D. Spirit River No. 133 and Saddle Hills County. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $16,279,000 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $16,707,000. The bundle of seven components has a total estimated cost of $32,986,000.

Central Alberta Pavement and Rehabilitation Project Bundle (2018)
This bundle includes rehabilitation work on nine highways north of Red Deer and south of Cold Lake. The 10 components include more than 166 kilometres of highway repaving throughout Central Alberta and nearly 38 kilometres of grade widening in Parkland County. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $38,617,500 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $39,313,500. The bundle of 10 components has a total estimated cost of $77,931,000.

Southern Alberta Highway Rehabilitation Project Bundle (2017)
Approximately 123 kilometres of highway segments in Southern Alberta will be repaved as part of this bundle, in addition to approximately 10 kilometres of grade widening work in Leduc County. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $17,350,500 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $19,382,500. The bundle of 10 components has a total estimated cost of $36,733,000.

Southern Alberta Pavement and Rehabilitation Project Bundle (2018)
This bundle consists of 20 components which will result in more than 264 kilometres of repaved highway segments across 16 municipalities in Southern Alberta. The vast majority of the work will occur in the 2018 construction season. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $30,851,000 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $34,213,000. The bundle of 20 components has a total estimated cost of $65,064,000.

Intersection and Reconstruction Project Bundle
This project involves work on intersections along five highways in Alberta: upgrades to intersections on Highway 660 in the Municipal District of Bonnyville and Highway 37 in Sturgeon County; a climbing lane upgrade on Highway 13 in Flagstaff County; a highway and intersection reconstruction in the Town of Stony Plain on Highway 779; and the construction of a roundabout on Highway 39 in Leduc County. These enhancements will increase the capacity of the intersections, enhance traffic flow and improve safety. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $25,835,000 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $27,302,000. The bundle of five components has a total estimated cost of $53,137,000.

Bridge Renewal Project Bundle
The Bridge Renewal project involves 13 infrastructure components across Alberta. Work includes a bridge replacement and road re-alignment in Starland County; the widening of two culverts in Sturgeon County; bridge work in Rocky View County, Crowsnest Pass and Sturgeon County; and culvert replacements in five different Alberta municipalities. Rehabilitating and replacing bridges and culverts improves the reliability and safety of the transportation system. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $18,681,434 for this project and the Government of Alberta is investing $23,317,566. The bundle of 13 components has a total estimated cost of $41,999,000.


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