The Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QEII) and 41 Avenue South-west (SW) Access project consists of the design and construction of the intermodal access to the new intermodal facility for Canadian Pacific. The project involves the construction of a new interchange on the QEII Highway and 41 Avenue SW, including a grade separation for the new Canadian Pacific intermodal facility, realignment of QEII Highway from south of 41 Avenue SW to Ellerslie Road, a bridge structure crossing Blackmud Creek, and upgrades to 41 Avenue SW to handle the traffic generated from the new intermodal terminal.
The QEII is a key north-south provincial highway on the National Highway System used for both commuter trips and transporting commercial goods. The construction in south Edmonton is necessitated primarily by the relocation of the Canadian Pacific intermodal terminal further away from a residential area to a site adjacent to the proposed project. The relocation of the Canadian Pacific intermodal facility will reduce traffic congestion near the existing facility. The level of service in the intermodal facility will also increase as time savings will be generated for trucks entering and exiting the facility.
The total cost of this project is approximately $205 million, with the federal government contributing a maximum of $75 million under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. In addition to the proposed federal funding, the Province of Alberta is investing $57.5 million and the City of Edmonton is providing $72.5 million towards the interchange project.
April 2013
