This release was issued under a previous government.
Work is ramping up on four major transportation projects as part of the Alberta government’s $550 plus million investment in Highway 63 safety and access improvements within the municipality.
Motorists are asked to watch for shifting travel patterns and lane changes as this work continues. While this is an intensive point in the construction cycle, construction teams are working to stagger activity as much as possible. The Steinhauer, Athabasca and Grant MacEwan bridges are scheduled to be fully functional by summer 2014. As well, the Confederation and Thickwood interchanges will be completed this fall.
Motorists should be aware of the following:
Thickwood Boulevard
August 29 from midnight to 4 a.m.:
- The eastbound lanes on the Thickwood interchange bridge will be closed to allow for new cameras to be installed. Northbound motorists can use Confederation Way interchange during the four hours. The new cameras will quickly detect traffic disruptions, will allow for prompt emergency response and will be available to the public through 511.alberta.ca.
Mid-September to early October:
- Minor traffic disruptions will allow for the completion of work at the Thickwood Boulevard interchange. Four lanes of traffic on Highway 63 will be maintained at all times. All interchange loops and ramps will remain open except for a short time when eastbound traffic heading downtown will be directed to the Confederation Way and Hospital Street interchanges.
Confederation Way
September 6 to mid-September:
- All traffic from Highway 63 to Confederation Way will return to the Confederation Way interchange. All traffic approaching Highway 63 from Confederation Way will continue to use the traffic lights. Three lanes will be available for eastbound traffic: two will turn north at the lights and one will turn south to downtown. This will enable crews to continue work on the permanent connection linking Confederation Way to Highway 63.
Highway 63 six-laning
- Throughout the fall, work continues on the six-laning of Highway 63 from north of the Athabasca River to north of Confederation Way with a planned completion by the end of the year. Work will occur in stages and motorists can anticipate traffic pattern changes. A minimum of two lanes in each direction will be open at all times.
Athabasca Bridge
Early September to the end of October:
- In early September, motorists will access two southbound lanes of the newly rebuilt Steinhauer Bridge while the Athabasca bridge will carry two northbound lanes while construction occurs on the bridge tie-ins.
Economic and population growth require major infrastructure investments.The Government of Alberta is committed to improving Highway 63 within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for the safety of motorists and to improve traffic flow.
Since 2005, the province has invested more than $1 billion to support Highway 63 and 881 projects, providing critical highway infrastructure for the Athabasca oil sands region and connecting to Alberta’s transportation network. Many Highway 63 projects currently under construction support market access and economic opportunities throughout Alberta.
Related information
Multimedia
Project Overview Map: Downtown to Confederation Way
Thickwood Boulevard renderings