Overview

The Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue Interchange is an $80-million project integrating Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive into a single interchange system.

The integrated interchange system addresses:

  • increased traffic volumes
  • the influx of local traffic onto Highway 2
  • improved spacing between the two interchanges

The Gaetz Avenue bridge opened to traffic on November 19, 2018, marking the last of the project’s major milestones.

Project details

The Highway 2 and Gaetz Avenue Interchange project includes:

  • 3 lanes in each direction on Highway 2 between McKenzie Road and 32 Street
  • 3 reconstructed bridges and 2 new bridges that carry Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive traffic over Highway 2
  • a slight realignment of Highway 2, reducing the bend in the road between Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive, to improve safety
  • new collector-distributor roads on the east and west sides of the highway to access Gasoline Alley businesses and provide a single entry point back onto the highway for improved safety
  • a roundabout at the Leva Avenue and Waskasoo Avenue portion of the new collector-distribution road system on the west side of Highway 2

The project was delivered by:

  • Alberta Transportation – as the Government of Alberta ministry responsible for the province’s highways
  • AECOM – which completed the engineering design and managed the project by overseeing construction
  • Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd. – which completed the construction work

Burnt Lake Gravel Pit

The road contractor used material from Alberta Transportation’s gravel pit and borrow site near Burnt Lake Trail (west of Red Deer) for construction purposes. The pit’s proximity to the interchange ensured significant cost-savings, instead of trucking in materials from other sites.

Alberta Transportation worked closely with the contractor to mitigate noise where possible by:

  • replacing back-up alarms with strobe lights on the trucks
  • muffling the exhaust from the generators
  • enclosing portions of the crusher

Timeline

  • Spring 2019

    The final work to complete the interchange will be completed, including:

    • landscaping
    • wetland planting
    • top-lift paving
    • finishing mechanically stabilized earth walls along Taylor Drive
  • November 19, 2018

    The last major construction milestone was met, as the Gaetz Avenue bridge and access to the Southpointe Common Mall from southbound Gaetz Avenue opened to traffic.

  • September 2016

    Interchange construction began.

  • 2010

    A public involvement program (PDF, 25 MB) was developed to discuss proposed improvements to the Highway 2 corridor between the 32 Street and McKenzie Road interchanges. The program involved:

    • meeting with community representatives by establishing direct contact with interested individuals, groups and businesses
    • conducting focus groups with local business representatives within the proximity of the Highway 2 corridor
    • addressing both Red Deer County and the City of Red Deer councils to inform municipal leaders of proposed corridor plans
  • 2009

    Alberta Transportation started the design phase of this project, which included input from:

    • the City of Red Deer
    • Red Deer County
    • local businesses
    • independent members of the construction and consulting industry
    • the general public
  • 2007

    Alberta Transportation completed a functional planning study for the Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive Interchange. The plan focused on 2 separate interchanges for Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive, providing access to Highway 2.

  • 1994

    Taylor Drive and its interchange were constructed to provide access onto Highway 2.

  • 1962

    The existing Gaetz Avenue interchange was constructed as part of an upgrade to the Highway 2 corridor.

Benefits

The new interchange:

  • accommodates increased traffic volumes on Highway 2 by providing for 3 lanes in each direction
  • improves safety for motorists on these roads by separating high- and low-speed traffic merging on and off the highway
  • integrates the Taylor Drive and Gaetz Avenue interchanges into one full interchange system improves traffic flow and safety, and accommodates increased growth in the Red Deer region

Roundabouts

A roundabout was built at the Gasoline Alley entrance to improve traffic flow at a slower speed.

Read about roundabouts, including how to safely drive through one.

Contact

For more information on the Highway 2 and Gaetz Avenue Interchange, contact the Alberta Transportation Central Region Office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 403-340-5166
Fax: 403-340-4810
Email: info@hwy2gaetz.com

Address:
Central Region
Alberta Transportation
4th Floor, Provincial Building
4920 51 Street
Red Deer, Alberta  T4N 6K8
Open in Google Maps for directions

Related

Alberta’s Capital Plan

511 Alberta