The first phase of the twinning of Highway 3 is set to begin in spring 2024.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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The province has announced Highway 3 twinning will begin between the town of Taber and the hamlet of Burdett, a 46-kilometre stretch of road.
Ledcor Highways Ltd. has been awarded the $179.7-million contract and pre-construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of this year.
Highway twinning will begin next spring and should be complete in 2025. The project is expected to support 755 jobs.
“I am excited to see this important project get underway. Twinning this stretch of Highway 3 is critical to supporting jobs, growth and the agri-food processing corridor in the region,” said Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner.
The section of highway between Taber and Burdett sees more than 3,900 vehicles per day.
“Highway 3 is a key economic corridor in southern Alberta between Saskatchewan and British Columbia, south of the Trans-Canada Highway,” explains Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen. “It is critical infrastructure for Alberta’s growing agri-business industry and will enhance tourism and improve safety in the region as well.”
This will be the first of eight phases to completely twin west to east the economic corridor from the B.C boarder to the Saskatchewan boarder.
The province says all other phases are in different planning phases that include consultation, land acquisition and contract tendering. By completing the project in eight phases the province hopes to limit costs and minimize disruption to businesses along the route.
“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 of the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association.
