Alberta improves highway network in southern Alberta

Southern Albertans will see more construction crews on roads and bridges in their region as part of the Alberta government’s three-year, $5 billion investment to expand and rehabilitate the provincial highway network. Work on high-priority projects will increase load limits and improve travel for residents, tourists and industry. 

In 2014, residents will see the completion of many ongoing capital projects in southern Alberta, including the $23 million TransCanada Highway and Dunmore Road interchange in Medicine Hat.

“Albertans can see that we are investing wisely across the province as we continue to move forward with our Building Alberta Plan. Southern Alberta is an epicentre for tourism, agriculture and industry, all of which depend on safe, high-quality  transportation infrastructure. These investments are part of our commitment to support families and communities, and increase market access.”

Some southern Alberta projects underway or planned

• Traffic signal improvements at the Highway 1A and Centre Avenue intersection in Cochrane to accommodate anticipated traffic volume growth in Cochrane.
• Nearly 30 kilometres of road rehabilitation in the region, including:
  • 20 kilometres of paving work on Highway 1 near Strathmore; and
  • Eight kilometres of paving work on Highway 791 west of Beiseker.
• Traffic signal improvements at the Dunbow Road and Highway 2A intersection between Calgary and Okotoks. This project is a cost shared with the Municipal District of Foothills. It will accommodate future traffic demands and increase safety at this busy intersection.
• Rehabilitation work to strengthen Bow River Bridge at Highway 1X in Seebe. This bridge sees an average of over 1,070 vehicles per day and is an important connection for local communities, including Exshaw and the Stoney First Nation.
• Final paving of Highway 799, southeast of Calgary, which allow more commercial vehicles to travel this road. Paving also planned for Highway 547.
• Future paving on Highway 505 is anticipated to allow significantly improved movement of large loads and agricultural products, in particular.
• Completion of the interchange at Highway 1 and Dunmore Road in Medicine Hat. This work will make the intersection safer and relieve congestion during peak hours.

“Highways 799 and 547 play a major role in the movement of agricultural crops and animals as well as oilfield activities. The final paving of 799 will increase the portion of the year that trucks will be able to haul in an unbanned condition. The repaving of 547 will ensure it can be used by commercial traffic for years to come. These roads are core to the economic health of this area.”

Much of Alberta Transportation’s three-year construction program focuses on strategic rehabilitation, which extends the lifespan of roads and bridges. This is a smart use of taxpayer dollars and is reflected with a $735 million investment over three-years to rehabilitate 2,500 kilometres of roadway; an increase of $284 million from the 2013-16 Capital Plan. Rehabilitation priorities are evaluated on a number of factors including safety, traffic counts, project costs, future development, pavement condition and market access. 

As maintenance and expansion of some of Alberta’s 31,000 kilometres of provincial highways (28,000 of which are paved) is underway, $97 million is being spent in 2014 and 2015 on flood mitigation work across the province.

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.