The twinning of Highway 63 from Grassland to Fort McMurray will be completed by the fall of 2016 thanks to an investment of $1.1 billion by the provincial government.
That’s the pledge Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver made last Friday north of Wandering River, where he and other dignitaries hailed the completion of a 36-kilometre stretch of twinning.
That stretch was completed approximately nine months ahead of schedule, fuelling the government’s confidence in providing an end date for the massive project, according to McIver.
The $1.1 billion investment, which will be funded through capital markets, includes $778 million for twinning the remaining sections of Highway 63 between Highway 55 and Fort McMurray; $158 million for the construction of passing/climbing lanes and safety rest areas on Highway 881; $150 million to extend Highway 881 from Anzac to Highway 69 southeast of Fort McMurray; and $10 million to begin a planning study for the long-term needs of the corridor.
The Minister explained that funding through capital markets allows the province to take advantage of its AAA credit rating, and to complete the project approximately seven years faster than they’d be able to via pay-as-you-go funding methods.
McIver went on to note the government is committed to repaying the costs in no more than 20 years and that they will “look for the best deal for Albertans” as they seek to lock down the financing in order to meet their deadline.
“We’re well on our way to improving travel in this region,” said the Minister, thanking the construction teams who he said have worked tirelessly throughout the summer and fall, the emergency response personnel that service the highway, and the traveling public for their patience with the project.
“We worked hard to get this section of twinning completed ahead of schedule so all travelers could use it this winter. Our crews have been out all summer working on the twinning as well as clearing, grading and preparing new passing lanes on other sections of the highway.”
Speaking to his counterparts in the Legislative Assembly as well as to his constituents, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson lauded both the early completion of the 36-kilometre stretch and the government’s commitment to setting a completion date for the twinning.
“(Highway 63) is the road to opportunity, but it’s also been fraught with challenges. A lot of folks have worked hard on this for many years,” he said. “It’s not just about the drivers on Highway 63, it’s about the communities on Highway 63.”
With serious auto collisions seemingly becoming more common on the highway, McIver said it’s a priority to keep the province’s residents safe as they travel into and out of the “economic engine” of the province.
“Our highway network must support the safe and efficient movement of people and commodities to, from and around Fort McMurray. This is about investing in a region that makes a tremendous contribution to the province’s economy.”
Aside from commuters, emergency responders are also going to see a big difference thanks to the newly completed section of highway, according to Grassland Fire Department chief Mel Peterson.
“I anticipate it’ll make a big difference,” said the chief. “There’s more room for traffic, so there’ll be less risks taken, I hope.”
