Central Alberta road work to improve connector routes

Central Alberta residents will soon see more crews and equipment along provincial highways in the region, thanks to the Alberta government’s $5 billion commitment to expanding and rehabilitating the provincial highway network.

“People see construction and think ‘traffic delays’. We ask that, instead, they think ‘smoother, safer travel’. After many years of work on core infrastructure and trade corridors, we are excited to reinvest in protecting our existing roads and bridges. We ask for Albertans’ patience as we work to make it easier for them to get around.”

Construction and rehabilitation projects will be seen throughout central Alberta, benefitting residents and local businesses and connecting communities.

Some central Alberta projects underway or planned

• Construction of a roundabout on Highway 2A near Blackfalds, which will improve traffic flow and safety.
• Completion of the realignment for the new bridge on Highway 22, south of Drayton Valley - improving market access for industry.
• Replacement of the Highway 2 bridge over Wolf Creek near Ponoka. This innovative project will replace the structure while keeping all four lanes of traffic open; reducing congestion issues common with road construction.
• Major intersection improvement north of Fort Saskatchewan, a large project that will greatly improve safety.
• Nearly 160 kilometres of road rehabilitation, including;
  • 50 km of overlay work on Highway 45 north of Mundare
  • 16 km of overlay on Highway 587 northeast of Sundre
  • 17 km of overlay on Highway 870 north of the Yellowhead Hwy
  • 29 kilometres of overlay work on Highway 53 near Rimbey, done in an environmentally-responsible way by recycling the existing pavement.
• The replacement  of the Cabin Creek Bridge on Highway 40, near Entrance, will restore the highway-posted speed to 100 kilometres per hour, improving traffic flow in the area.
• Completion of the Olds Interchange, a fiscally-responsible project that has saved Alberta taxpayers millions of dollars through re-design as opposed to replacement, while still addressing local safety concerns.

“The rehabilitation work taking place this year on Highway 53 will have a major impact for both industry and residents in Ponoka County. This road is a major artery in our region, a vital link for our economy and will play a key role in helping us sustain current and future growth. We’re pleased that the Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of this corridor and is investing in its preservation.”

The Alberta government will invest $735 million over the next three years in highway rehabilitation, an increase of $284 million from the 2013-16 Capital Plan. This will allow for work on more than 2,500 kilometres of existing provincial infrastructure as part of the three-year construction program. Rehabilitation priorities are evaluated on a number of factors including safety, traffic counts, project costs, future development, pavement condition and market access. 

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.