The project will drive economic momentum in Alberta’s growing warehousing and logistics industry by connecting one of the busiest stretches of highway in Alberta with the Edmonton International Airport and key cargo hubs, delivering safer, more efficient connections between the City of Leduc, the airport and area businesses.

Graham Construction has been selected as the successful proponent to build the major interchange at Queen Elizabeth II Highway and 65th Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in late 2022. The $112-million interchange will be cost-shared by the Government of Alberta and the City of Leduc.

In addition, the new interchange will add another route for STARS ambulance to ensure patients get the care they need when and where they need it.

“Work is getting under way. This is one of the busiest sections of highway in Alberta, and we’re going to help make it faster and safer to get around. It will take commercial and airport traffic off local roads. It will provide a better connection for Alberta businesses to the Edmonton airport, letting them get their products to the world a bit faster and a bit cheaper.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

“As Leduc continues to grow, it is more important than ever for us to have reliable and efficient transportation routes that can keep up with demand and business growth. I am thrilled to see our government fulfilling its mandate by supporting this initiative and supporting Alberta-based businesses.”

Brad Rutherford, Minister and MLA for Leduc-Beaumont

“This project is a massive undertaking and we are confident that Graham Construction will deliver exceptional results. Once complete, the interchange will offer significant positive economic impacts and infrastructure upgrades that will benefit Leduc for years to come as we continue to grow and attract big business to the area.” 

Bob Young, mayor, City of Leduc

“We look forward to partnering with the City of Leduc and Alberta’s government to deliver this critical infrastructure. The interchange will support safety and ease of movement of people and goods and Graham is proud to be part of the project that will bring significant and long-standing benefits to the community.”

Tom Cole, vice-president of infrastructure, Graham Construction

Quick facts

  • The QEII Highway and Leduc 65 Avenue interchange project includes:
    • a new overpass over the QEII Highway
    • new on-off ramps from the QEII Highway
    • improvements to some existing ramps
    • intersection improvements at 65 Avenue and 50 Street in Leduc
    • completion of Perimeter Road and 65 Avenue, west of the QEII Highway
  • The construction project will support more than 660 jobs.
  • The interchange is estimated to cost about $112 million:
    • Provincial contribution - $96.4 million
    • City of Leduc contribution - $15.7 million
  • Construction is expected to take about three years, beginning in late 2022.
  • It is forecasted that the growth of cargo trucks will rise by an average of 2.6 per cent per year through 2045.
  • The interchange will increase exports to international markets, excluding the U.S., by 4.5 per cent.
  • The project will result in time savings of 1.8 million hours for the Edmonton International Airport’s inbound/outbound commercial traffic and 6.8 million hours for northbound/southbound commercial traffic on QEII/2A, a decrease of 17.3 per cent.
    • These time savings will cut commercial truck freight costs by $211.1 million from 2025 to 2045.
  • About 49,700 vehicles travel this stretch of the QEII Highway every day.
  • About 13 per cent of the vehicles that use the QEII are trucks.