Overview
Highway 3 is a 325-kilometre stretch of highway from the Alberta/BC border to Highway 1 in Medicine Hat. It is a major east-west corridor in Alberta. Approximately 5,000 vehicles per day use this section of Highway 3.
The 38-kilometre section of Highway 3 between Pincher Creek and west of Fort Macleod is currently a two-lane, undivided highway. This upgrade will safely accommodate growing traffic volume. Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors CIMA+ Canada Inc. are undertaking a functional planning study to twin this section between Pincher Creek and west of Fort Macleod, through Piikani Nation. The study will develop a functional plan for a twinned expressway, and eventually a full freeway with access via interchanges only.
This study will consider:
- operational and safety considerations
- impacts on utilities, environment and historical resources
- input from multiple stakeholders and Indigenous communities
Timelines
The study began in 2022 and is anticipated to take about four years to complete.
Construction for this project is not currently on the Provincial Construction Plan.
Benefits
Upgrading Highway 3 to a freeway will:
- improve interregional mobility
- shorten travel times
- enhance safety
- improve traffic flow, and
- contribute to local economic development
Contact
Jerry Lau, P.Eng
Infrastructure Manager
Phone: 403-297-8633
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]