The Government of Alberta announced that during the 2023 construction season, it invested $1.13 billion in 250 road and bridge projects.
“Alberta’s highways are so important to our quality of life. Whether it’s getting your kid to hockey practice or businesses getting their products to market, we all rely on a safe and efficient road network. The Alberta government will continue to invest in road and bridge projects to help ease congestion, enhance safety and promote economic growth” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors.
The 2023 construction season included new and ongoing major road projects, such as repaving, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, slide repairs, road expansion and water management infrastructure projects. General maintenance work included repairing potholes, sealing cracks, painting lines, grading gravel roads and installing guardrails.
Project highlights include:
Calgary Ring Road
Almost $90 million was invested into the West Calgary Ring Road, the final leg of the Calgary Ring Road, which was fully opened to traffic on Dec. 19, 10 months earlier than expected.
- Designed to accommodate up to 100,000 vehicles per day by 2025, the completed ring road includes 197 bridges and 48 interchanges.
- The completed Calgary Ring Road provides 101 kilometres of free-flow travel, enhancing access to markets and supporting economic growth for the City of Calgary and surrounding area.
Deerfoot Trail improvements (Calgary)
Improvements to the Deerfoot Trail and 64 Avenue interchange were completed ($6 million).
Construction began for interchange improvements at:
- 11 Street/Beddington Trail (estimated total investment $19 million)
McKnight Boulevard (estimated total investment $44 million) - Bow Bottom Trail/Anderson Road/Southland Drive and Glenmore Trail (estimated total investment of about $595 million)
Southwest Anthony Henday Drive expansion (Edmonton)
Final work to expand the southwest portion of Anthony Henday Drive was completed and the road was fully opened to traffic on Nov. 24 (estimated total investment $100 million).
- The expansion from four to six lanes will accommodate 120,000 vehicles per day, reducing travel time for commuters.