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Highway 3, Whitla to Medicine Hat
Overview
Highway 3 is an important inter-provincial highway for traffic flow from Saskatchewan to British Columbia. Traffic volumes have increased and are exceeding the current safe 2-lane limits.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) is completing the design to twin approximately 36 km of Highway 3, between 3 km east of Highway 885 and east of Highway 523 (Whitla (west of Seven Persons) to Medicine Hat). The project will refine design standards, access locations, and the staging requirements for 4 lanes.
This work, which will improve safety and enhance traffic flow and efficiency, will expand the highway from 2 undivided lanes in each direction to 2 (4 total) divided lanes in each direction.
Project parameters
See a map of the project parameters
To inform the design, the project will review existing conditions, current issues, and future growth considerations of this section of Highway 3, between east of Highway 885 (Whitla) and east of Highway 523 (Medicine Hat). The design will refine:
- design standards
- access locations
- the staging needed to upgrade the existing 2-lane, undivided section to a 4-lane classification
The project will consider:
- physical constraints
- property and access impacts
- wildlife, environmental and cultural sensitivities
- feedback from Indigenous communities, adjacent property owners, business owners, area residents, City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County, County of Forty Mile, and the public
Timelines
Functional planning studies for this section of Highway 3 were completed in 2013. AECOM and ISL Engineering and Land Services (ISL) will complete the design work. Design began in 2024 and is anticipated to be complete in 2026. Next steps, including timing and construction, will be determined after engineering and design are complete.
Benefits
When completed, the twinning will:
- improve driver safety and provide effective and efficient highway infrastructure
- support current and future traffic needs as the area continues to grow and develop
- support economic development by way of robust transportation infrastructure
Public engagement
This project includes a planning component for the Seven Persons area and a potential future runway extension to the Medicine Hat Regional Airport. The project will consider input from adjacent landowners and businesses, stakeholders including community groups, the City of Medicine Hat, County of Forty Mile, and Cypress County.
Public engagement includes 4 public information sessions to be held in Medicine Hat and Seven Persons in 2024 and 2025.
Fall 2024 engagement
To learn more about the project and provide feedback, interested Albertans can participate in:
- Public information sessions on September 10 and 11, 2024, and,
- Online public engagement between September 3-20, 2024
Public information sessions (Drop-in format)
September 10, 2024
4 to 7 pm
Medicine Hat College: Big Eagle Room
299 College Drive SE, Medicine Hat
September 11, 2024
4 to 7 pm
Seven Persons Community Hall
426 Drinnan Street, Seven Persons
Online survey
Resources
Contact
Alex Frotten
Construction Engineer
Phone: 403-297-7677
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]