Highway 11 – from Highway 22 to Township Road 390

Overview

This study focuses on the 41-kilometre section of Highway 11 between Highway 22 and Township Road 390 (east of Benalto). Highway 11 is an important route for the movement of people, goods, and services. It connects national parks and communities with over 5,000 residents, including Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House. CIMA Canada Inc. (CIMA+) is conducting the functional planning study on behalf of Alberta Transportation.

The project will be built in phases; the sections closer to Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House will be twinned first. The remaining section – the largest and the focus of this planning study – will be twinned after the first 2. See the attached map of the study area.

A functional planning study is the first step in understanding the needs for any future highway upgrading. The study will identify and evaluate potential options and define a preferred twinning plan. Construction for the twinning of Highway 11 between Highway 22 and Township Road 390 (east of Benalto) is not on the provincial construction program at this time. Timelines for construction have not yet been determined.

The study will:

• assess existing conditions and constraints along the corridor
• identify issues and concerns for people whose property is adjacent to the highway
• examine the highway’s role and performance in the provincial road network
• consider future needs and develop a plan to meet those needs

The study will consider the impacts of all proposed changes to the highway, including land, environmental resources and utilities, among others.

In summer 2020, Alberta Transportation announced the twinning of Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway) between Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake. The David Thompson Highway leads to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada and is a popular route for the tourism industry. Twinning this highway will improve access for Albertans and visitors alike.

*Timelines for construction have not yet been determined.

Benefits

The study will address capacity issues and make recommendations to support safe and efficient travel, including safe highway access as this area continues to grow and develop.

Community engagement

Public open house and stakeholder events were held in Condor (June 22, 2022) and Rocky Mountain House (June 23, 2022).  Additional stakeholder meetings were held in January 2023 for stakeholders along the south alignment options that were being considered. A second public open house was held on April 5, 2023 in Sylvan Lake.

Community engagement materials can be found in the Resources section.

Resources

• Stakeholder and Public Engagement: What We Heard
• April 2023 Open house materials:
  • Open house boards
  • Comment Sheet
  • Figure 9 – Alignment Options
  • Figure 10 – Twinning Concept Existing Highway 11
  • Figure 11 – Ultimate Freeway Concept
• January 2023 Stakeholder meeting:
  • Figure 8 – Alignment Options
• June 2022 Open house materials:
  • What We Heard Report
  • Open house boards
  • Presentation slides
  • Project information sheet
  • Comment sheet
  • Figure 1 – Existing conditions
  • Figure 2 – Passing lanes
  • Figure 3 – Twinning
  • Figure 4 – Couplet concept
  • Figure 5 – North couplet
  • Figure 6 – New alignment
  • Figure 7 – Interim expressway
• Highway 11 Functional Planning Study Fact Sheet
• Improving David Thompson Highway and creating jobs

Contact

Connect with us for more information:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

René Rosvold, P.Eng.
Deputy Project Manager
Phone: 403-775-0100, ext. 7620
Email: [email protected]

For other information about Highway 11, contact Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (Central Region):

Phone: 403-340-5209
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
4th Floor Provincial Building
4920 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta  T4N 6K8