Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Alberta has awarded a $179.7 million contract to begin twinning Highway 3.
Phase one construction will twin Highway 3 between the town of Taber and the hamlet of Burdett and the contract for the 46-kilometre project has been awarded to Ledcor Highways Ltd.
“Highway 3 is a key economic corridor in southern Alberta between Saskatchewan and British Columbia, south of the Trans-Canada Highway,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors.
Pre-construction work, including acquiring the right of way and relocating utilities, is underway and will be completed this year. Construction will begin in spring 2024, with completion anticipated in 2025. The project is expected to support 755 jobs.
Twinning Highway 3 from border to border will be completed in eight phases to limit costs and minimize disruption to people and businesses along the route. The other seven sections of the project are in various phases, including consultation, planning and design, land acquisition, environmental assessment, engineering or contract tendering.
“This is great news for our association members and municipalities all along the agri-food corridor, in addition to all southern Albertans who will be ecstatic when dirt begins to move next spring. Our association extends our thanks to Premier Danielle Smith and Devin Dreeshen, minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, for your commitment to this vital project,” said Bill Chapman, president, Highway 3 Twinning Development Association.
Twinning Highway 3 from border to border will be completed in eight phases to limit costs and minimize disruption to people and businesses along the route. The other seven sections of the project are in various phases, including consultation, planning and design, land acquisition, environmental assessment, engineering or contract tendering.
“This is great news for our association members and municipalities all along the agri-food corridor, in addition to all southern Albertans who will be ecstatic when dirt begins to move next spring,” said Bill Chapman, president, Highway 3 Twinning Development Association. “Our association extends our thanks to Premier Danielle Smith and Devin Dreeshen, minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, for your commitment to this vital project.”
The eight phases of this project include:
- Phase 1, 46 kilometres – twin Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett
- Phase 2, 10 kilometres – Highway 3X/Coleman Bypass
- Phase 3, 15 kilometres – east of Seven Persons to Medicine Hat
- Phase 4, 47 kilometres – Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek
- Phase 5, 28 kilometres – east of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons
- Phase 6, 23 kilometres – east of Burdett to east of Bow Island
- Phase 7, 38 kilometres – Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod
- Phase 8, eight kilometres – Alberta/B.C. border to Highway 3X