This release was issued under a previous government.

The new bridge will provide two lanes of free-flow travel for westbound motorists and will return the eastbound bridge to three lanes. There will be some short-term traffic adjustments in the days following the bridge opening. The sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists will re-open in the spring.

“Opening this bridge will improve your local commute and ensure better connections between communities on both sides of Medicine Hat. It is also important to commercial drivers taking goods across Alberta, across Canada and to foreign markets as the Redford government continues Building Alberta.”

- Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

Despite challenging weather and the June floods which saw water rise to within feet of the bridge deck, the province pushed to have this important bridge opened in 2013 and the contractor responded.

“This bridge is a key link for friends, family and businesses in our city and across the region. I want to thank Alberta Transportation for working closely with the new contractor to get traffic moving on this new bridge before the New Year.”

- Ted Clugston, Mayor, City of Medicine Hat

Highway of Heroes

Minister Drysdale also presented Leona and David Stock with a framed Highway of Heroes sign to honour their son Stephan, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces.

This summer, Alberta Transportation approved a dual name for a section of the TransCanada Highway between Medicine Hat and Redcliff. It is now signed as Highway of Heroes after a campaign spearheaded by Trina Murray with the local chapter of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit.

“We are very pleased that the Government of Alberta supported our campaign. The Highway of Heroes recognizes the sacrifices of our military, our first responders and the everyday heroes in our lives, not just on Remembrance Day but every day of the year.”

- Trina Murray, Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit, Medicine Hat

Building 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.

Construction of the new bridge, a $19 million investment, and the $23 million Dunmore Road/TransCanada Highway interchange just east of the bridge support the Redford government’s priorities of investing in families and communities, and Building Alberta through strategic investments in Alberta’s core transportation network to improve market access. This year the government will invest $1.4 billion in Alberta’s highway network.

Multimedia

Medicine Hat bridge: Deck ready for pouring

Photo Gallery: Bridge construction start to finish

Building for the future: Story of a new bridge

Backgrounder

New traffic pattern begins December 18 at 2 p.m.

TransCanada Highway motorists heading westbound over the South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat will shift travel patterns as the new bridge opens.

Westbound travellers

  • Will no longer detour onto the eastbound bridge.
  • Will now cross the South Saskatchewan River on two lanes across the new westbound bridge.
  • Speed will be set at the regular posted limit of 80 km/h.

Eastbound travellers will continue to face some delays

  • Concrete median separating east and westbound lanes needs to be removed.
  • Pothole repairs may be needed due to the heavy use of the bridge.
  • Work should be completed by early next week.
  • Speed limit will remain at 50 km/h until the work is done.

Additional information

  • The sidewalk will remain closed until new pathways are constructed in the spring to connect to the pedestrian and cycling trails in the river valley.
  • Travellers are reminded that winter driving conditions are in effect and bridge decks may be icy.

Road reports

For up-to-date road information and traffic delays

Call:  511 toll-free

Visit:  511.alberta.ca

Follow:  @511Alberta