No. H064/10
For release - May 25, 2010
EDMONTON — Construction is underway on the next section of Highway 63 twinning north of Wandering River that will increase safety for motorists on one of Alberta’s busiest highways.
The project includes 18 kilometres of grading work at a cost of $17.8 million and is scheduled to be complete by fall 2011.
“The Government of Canada is encouraged to see the progress achieved in the twinning of Highway 63,” said Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This major investment is a solid example of the Government of Canada’s actions that will help stimulate the economy and create jobs in Alberta, while contributing to the region’s economic growth and improving road safety for residents and travellers alike.”
“We recognize the tremendous contribution that northeastern Alberta makes to the province’s economy,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation. “Twinning Highway 63 supports communities by building the infrastructure for Alberta’s continued growth.”
A portion of the construction area falls within the local Caribou Protection Zone. For this reason, only 10 kilometres of grading work is currently underway. The remaining eight kilometres of grading work may commence only after the end of the Caribou calving season on July 15. A separate contract for the asphalt work will follow.
The Government of Alberta plans to twin the 240 kilometres of Highway 63 between Fort McMurray and the junction of Highway 55 near Grassland. The total cost of this twinning is approximately $1 billion. The federal government will contribute up to $150 million toward the project under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
In addition, the Government of Alberta, with funding support from the Government of Canada, began $19 million worth of twinning work in fall 2009 north of Wandering River to grade 16.8 kilometres of Highway 63 and 46 kilometres of tree clearing. Construction work on this section of twinning began in September 2009 and will resume July 15 after the end of the Caribou calving season.
Other construction work includes improvements on Highway 63 in Fort McMurray that will see a $127-million five-lane bridge open to traffic in fall 2011 and $77.4 million for the second phase of construction on the Thickwood Boulevard and Confederation Way interchanges that will be completed in 2012. The Government of Canada has committed a total of $53 million to Highway 63 initiatives in Fort McMurray under the Building Canada Fund. The Government of Alberta is investing $147 million in 2010 for ongoing construction on Highway 63.
Recently completed projects include twinning 33 kilometres of Highway 63, repaving 70 kilometres of Highway 63 north of Highway 55, widening and repaving five kilometres of Highway 63 from Highway 69 to Beacon Hill and adding a total of six kilometres of passing lanes in two locations.
The Government of Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides for almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years and the acceleration of the $33-billion Building Canada Plan, which will help address needs in communities across Canada and contribute to long-term economic growth through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment plants, green energy and transit.
The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that the province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity.
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