Approximately $1.5 billion was invested in 172 projects in the 2021 construction season, creating more than 13,000 jobs across the province. Alberta’s government is investing in critical infrastructure projects now that will lay the foundation for thousands of good-paying private sector jobs and create spinoff benefits for Alberta tomorrow.

“Albertans need and expect safe and efficient roads and bridges for their daily needs. The 2021 construction season paved the way for critical, resilient infrastructure that translates into a robust transportation network and attracts investment into Alberta. Our government remains focused on building for the future by making Alberta the best place to invest, start a business and raise a family.”

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation

“Investments in capital mean better infrastructure for Albertans and new jobs. Our record levels of building during the pandemic have meant that thousands of families were able to put food on their tables and that our communities have got the roads, schools and transit that they need.”        

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation

Budget 2021 invested $7 billion over three years in Transportation’s Capital Plan for planning, design and construction of roads and bridges, as well as capital maintenance and renewal funding for smaller construction and rehabilitation projects, water management and flood recovery projects and capital grants.

“Good progress was made this year to protect and expand Alberta’s critical highway system. Construction contractors answered the call to fix our roads and to put thousands of Albertans to work in high-paying jobs. Road investments make good financial and economic returns for Albertans.” 

Ron Glen, CEO, Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association                         

“Our region understands the critical importance of transportation infrastructure and the positive impact it has on quality of life, community resilience, public safety and economic productivity and development. Improvements to our transportation infrastructure can only help build a stronger region while driving economic growth and good local jobs at a much-needed time.”  

Sandy Bowman, mayor, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

2021 construction season highlights

  • Budget 2021 invests $7 billion over three years in Transportation’s Capital Plan, including:
    • $2.25 billion in capital investment for planning, design and construction of twinning, widening and expansion of roads and bridges
    • $1.5 billion in capital maintenance and renewal for highway and bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects
    • $308.6 million for water management and flood mitigation protection
    • $2.95 billion for capital grants to municipalities
  • Projects in the 2021 construction season included repaving, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, slide repairs, road expansion and water management infrastructure projects, as well as general maintenance work such as pothole repairs, crack sealing, line painting, grading of gravel roads and guardrail installation.

Water projects

  • $24.7 million was invested in the Jensen Dam, located south of Magrath, including upgrades to the concrete spillway and construction of an emergency spillway.
  • 149 jobs were supported.

Northeast Stoney Trail widening

  • Approximately $13 million was spent to widen the road, supporting about 78 jobs.
  • Work was completed in the median between 17th Avenue SE and Airport Trail, or 96 Avenue NE (north/south).
  • Work was completed on the outside shoulder between 17th Avenue SE and 16th Avenue NE (northbound).

Opening of the Southwest Calgary Ring Road (Highway 8 to Highway 22X/ Macleod Trail)

  • Work completed on the Southwest Calgary Ring Road is valued at approximately $145 million and supported about 864 jobs.
  • The total project value was $1.42 billion and the project supported about 2,000 jobs between 2016 and 2021.

Southwest Anthony Henday Drive expansion

  • The work to expand the southwest portion of Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton is valued at about $30.5 million and supported about 182 jobs.
  • Work is expected to be complete in fall 2022.

Southern Alberta

  • Paving on Highway 2 (southbound Veterans Boulevard in the City of Airdrie to Balzac) and Highway 201 (from Deerfoot Trail to west of Deerfoot Trail) and miscellaneous improvements, including guardrails, signs, guideposts, rumble strips and line painting, is valued at approximately $7.35 million.
  • The work supported about 44 jobs.

Central Alberta

  • Highway 834 was realigned to provide an alternate route for highway traffic east of the Town of Tofield. The project included realigning and upgrading sections of Highway 834 and Highway 14.
  • The project is valued at approximately $11 million and supported about 66 jobs.

Peace Region

  • Work on Highway 43 (between Fox Creek and Valleyview), including 43 kilometres of paving, safety rest area and intersection improvements – including at the main industrial connector, Big Stone Road – is valued at about $14 million and supported about 83 jobs.

North Central and Fort McMurray Region (including Edmonton metropolitan area)

  • Highway 779 reconstruction (south of Highway 628 to 47 Avenue, Town of Stony Plain) is valued at about $25 million and supported about 149 jobs.
  • The twinning of about three kilometres of Highway 15 through Fort Saskatchewan and building a new bridge is valued at about $14 million and supported about 83 jobs.
  • The work is expected to be complete in fall 2022.
  • Work on Hangingstone Bridge on Highway 63 (Fort McMurray area), including highway realignment and a new bridge, is valued at about $23 million and supported about 137 jobs.
Alberta's Recovery Plan