This release was issued under a previous government.
As part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Land Exchange Agreement, the Government of Alberta will transfer land currently owned by the province on Saline Creek Plateau and Parsons Creek - valued at approximately $131.8 million - to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) for re-sale.
The RMWB will, in turn, provide transportation infrastructure and ongoing maintenance of Highway 69 and additional improvements on Highway 63 within the regional municipality.
“Fort McMurray is facing unprecedented growth, and we are committed to addressing their needs. This agreement moves the region closer to being able to fully control and manage its future so it can meet the needs of local families and businesses. Our Building Alberta Plan supports the people of Fort McMurray”
The Redford government encourages municipalities throughout the province to work with developers to ensure municipal transportation initiatives are geared towards local needs and long-term municipal development plans. This agreement ensures that Fort McMurray can continue building for the future and make local development decisions that will strengthen the community.
“With some very out of the box creativity, this agreement has taken our two biggest challenges of transportation and land in this region and turned it into a tremendous opportunity. The exchange of lands in Saline Creek and North Parsons for transportation upgrades will help to meet the needs of our ever expanding community. I very much appreciate the collaborative efforts between the Province and the Municipality to make this agreement a reality.”
The RMWB will receive:
- Approximately 453 acres of land (402 acres on the Saline Creek Plateau and 51 acres in Parsons Creek) for the purpose of re-sale.
- Ownership of a portion of Highway 69 and the responsibility for ongoing maintenance.
The regional municipality will assume responsibility for:
- Highway 69 twinning west of Saline Creek to Range Road 85;
- Highway 63 intersection improvements at Highway 69 and McKenzie Boulevard;
- New Airport Road intersection on Highway 69;
- Highway 63 bus on shoulder accommodation (including queue jumping traffic signals) from Highway 69 to Hospital Street Interchange;
- Highway 63 six-laning from Hospital Street Interchange to south of Athabasca River;
- Highway 63 and Thickwood Boulevard interchange bus lane; and
- The cost of shoulder improvements on Highways 63 and 686.
“Fort McMurray is a region that makes a tremendous contribution to our province’s economy. We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to help them meet the priority transportation needs of this important part of Alberta.”
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.
Related information
Land Transfer Map 1 (pdf, 25MB)
Land Transfer Map 2 (pdf)
Land Transfer Map 3 (pdf)