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Alberta

Highway twinning from Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House among dozens of infrastructure projects beginning in Alberta

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2 hours ago

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Alberta’s government is investing in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure to strengthen the economy and meet the needs of the province’s growing population.

As Alberta’s population continues to grow so does the need for safe, reliable and effective infrastructure to support communities across the province, attract investment and boost economic development. Maintaining and expanding the provincial road and bridge network is vital for growing communities and expanding market access for local industry.

If passed, Budget 2025 would invest more than $8.5 billion for the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors’ three-year Capital Plan, a $333.7-million increase compared with Budget 2024. This total includes more than $4 billion over three years for transportation infrastructure projects to benefit rural communities across the province, as well as $2.1 billion over three years for projects in the Calgary region, and $2 billion for projects in the Edmonton region.

“We are investing in the transportation and water infrastructure our communities need to address rapid growth, promote economic development and support a high quality of life. These investments help ensure our province remains the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

The total capital investment in this year’s budget includes $2.6 billion for planning, design and construction of major highway and bridge projects. This work will create thousands of jobs across Alberta, improve traffic flow, and support the development of major trade corridors through projects such as twinning Highway 3 and Highway 11, and major improvements to Deerfoot Trail and Highway 881. Capital investment funding also includes more than $186 million over three years for more than 50 engineering projects to address future infrastructure needs as the province continues to grow.

“These investments in Calgary’s roads and bridges are critical to supporting our growing city. Improved infrastructure means safer commutes, better connections for businesses and a stronger foundation for future growth.”

Myles McDougall, MLA, Calgary-Fish Creek

If passed, Budget 2025 would also include a $1.7-billion investment over three years for capital maintenance and renewal, which extends the life of the province’s existing road and bridge network, keeping the highway network safe and helping industry create and maintain well-paying jobs.

“Building and fixing roads and bridges improves the productivity of Alberta’s economy. Budget 2025 continues investing in critical infrastructure using local materials and labour. The ARHCA applauds Alberta’s leadership and commitment to all modes of trade-enabling transportation.”

Ron Glen, CEO, Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association

In addition to improving and maintaining the provincial highway network, Alberta’s government has allocated $3.9 billion for capital grants to municipalities over the next three years. This includes funding for LRT projects in Edmonton and Calgary, as well as $5 million in new funding to support planning work for a new transit solution connecting the Calgary airport terminal with the future Blue Line LRT extension station.

“Investing in infrastructure is critical to establishing a solid foundation for economic growth, sustainability and thriving communities. As our population continues to grow, we must make smart investments in roads, bridges, water and transportation infrastructure to ensure our communities and businesses remain vibrant, connected and ready for the future.”

Deborah Yedlin, president and CEO, Calgary Chamber of Commerce

If passed, targeted investments in Budget 2025 would also support the growth and prosperity of rural communities by providing $126.8 million over three years to municipalities through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program. This program helps smaller municipalities improve critical local transportation infrastructure.

Additionally, ongoing capital grants totalling $519.7 million over three years in water and wastewater infrastructure will ensure Albertans in every community have reliable access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater services.

Finally, Budget 2025 would provide $240.1 million to build and repair water management infrastructure, including dams, spillways, canals and control structures. This investment provides irrigation for the agriculture sector and flood mitigation for Alberta communities.

Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

Quick Facts

Regional Highlights

North region

  • Budget 2025, if passed, invests $1.25 billion over three years in road and bridge construction projects to benefit the North region, including:
    • $101 million for Highway 63 twinning, north of Fort McMurray
    • $141 million for Highway 881 safety and road improvements
    • $87 million for construction of the La Crete bridge
    • $69 million for Highway 40 grade widening between Hinton and Grande Cache
    • $7 million for the La Loche Connector road – extending Highway 956 from La Loche, Saskatchewan to Fort McMurray
    • $4 million for twinning Highway 40 south of Grande Prairie
    • $127.5 million for Highway 60 Capital Improvements

Central region

  • Budget 2025, if passed, invests $1.4 billion over three years in road and bridge construction projects to benefit the Central region, including:
    • $208 million for Highway 11 twinning between Sylvan Lake and Rocky Mountain House
    • $98 million for the Vinca Bridge replacement on Highway 38 (near Redwater) as part of work to enhance the high-load corridor

South region

  • Budget 2025, if passed, invests $363 million over three years in road and bridge construction projects to benefit the South region, including:
    • $106 million for Highway 3 twinning (between Taber and east of Burdett)
    • $92 million for the Highway 2 Balzac Interchange Replacement
    • $24 million for the Highway 1A upgrade (Stoney First Nation)
    • $9 million for the QEII Highway and 40th Avenue interchange ramp (near Airdrie)

Calgary

  • Budget 2025, if passed, invests $2.1 billion over three years in road and bridge construction projects, and municipal grants to benefit the Calgary region, including:
    • $173.1 million for the Calgary Rivers District and Event Centre
    • $484.8 million for Deerfoot Trail upgrades
    • $62.4 million for the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) project
    • $11.9 million for the Bow River Reservoir (Ghost Reservoir Infrastructure Project)
    • $100 million for the Calgary Ring Road (West Stoney Trail)
    • $8 million for the completion of the Highway 201 Bow River Bridge on the southeast Stoney Trail
    • $26.5 million for the completion of the Stoney Trail and Airport Trail interchange

Edmonton

  • Budget 2025, if passed, invests $2 billion over three years in road and bridge construction projects to benefit the Edmonton region, including:
    • $31.9 million for the Ray Gibbon Drive expansion
    • $31 million for the Terwillegar Drive widening from Rabbit Hill Road to Windermere Boulevard
    • $52.7 million for the Terwillegar Drive Expansion improvements to the interchange at SW Anthony Henday Drive.
    • $20.3 million for Highway 16A and Range Road 20 Safety Improvements
    • $17.2 million for Highway 19 twinning
    • $40.2 million for the Highway 2 and 65 Avenue Interchange in Leduc
Related Topics:

This is a news release from the Government of Alberta.

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Premier Danielle Smith calls for federal election

Published on March 14, 2025

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Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the swearing in of Canada’s 24th Prime Minister and his new federal cabinet.

“Now that Prime Minister Mark Carney has been officially sworn in, his first item of business should be to call a general election.

“I am extremely concerned that this cabinet includes most of same ministers responsible for the most damaging government policies levelled by Ottawa against Alberta in our over 100-year history. We are gravely concerned that plans to significantly increase the industrial carbon tax will be just as damaging to Alberta’s economy as the consumer carbon tax has been.

“The Prime Minister also has not yet condemned harmful policies such as:

  • The proposed emissions cap which continues to threaten our energy sector.
  • Bill C-69 which still hampers critical infrastructure projects.
  • Failed bail policies which continue to put our communities at risk, undermining the safety and security that Albertans deserve.
  • Gun bans that target law-abiding hunters and sport shooters.
  • Open border policies which are allowing over two million people per year to enter Canada.
  • The plastics ban which puts billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs at risk.
  • Bill C-59 which bans businesses from communicating about their environmental goals.
  • The electric vehicle mandate which calls for 100 percent of new vehicles sold to be electric by 2035.
  • The Sustainable Jobs Act, which aims to transition energy workers to a net zero economy as they work to shut down the energy sector.

“Our province has always been a leader in innovation, economic growth, and responsible resource development. We will continue to stand up for our industries, push back against policies that unfairly target Alberta, and fight for a fair deal within Confederation.

“The Prime Minister must put Canada first and call an election immediately to ensure that whoever is leading this country has a four year mandate from all Canadians, especially in light of the ongoing tariff conflict with the U.S.”

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Alberta

Alberta power outages and higher costs on the way with new federal electricity regulations, AESO says

Published on March 14, 2025

By

From the Canadian Energy Centre

By Cody Ciona

Clean Electricity Regulations put Alberta grid at risk for ‘minimal emissions reductions’

Alberta is at risk of power outages by the mid-2030s as a result of the federal government’s Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), says a new report by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).

The AESO’s analysis found the new regulations, which came into effect on January 1, will make the province’s electricity system more than 100 times less reliable by 2038.

Alberta has already reduced emissions from electricity production by 59 per cent since 2005 without the CER, according to the federal government’s national emissions reporting.

The finalized CER in December 2024 pushed out the federal government’s target of a net zero power grid from 2035 to 2050, but the AESO said the costs of the regulation continue to outweigh its minimal environmental benefit.

The CER essentially mandates the rapid and widespread adoption of technologies that remain under development or have not been commercially tested in Alberta, the AESO said.

This includes nuclear, large-scale hydroelectric generation, natural gas generation with carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen generation.

Due to restrictions on natural gas generation, the AESO forecasts an additional $30 billion in capital and operational costs between now and 2049.

The regulations will have high costs for Albertans, increasing wholesale electricity prices by 35 per cent above what they otherwise would be, the AESO said.

Along with potential reliability and affordability issues, the regulations will result in less than one million tonnes of emissions reduced annually, according to AESO.

“The significant cost that the CER will impose on Alberta’s electricity system for minimal emissions reductions means the regulation is inefficient and ineffective,” the AESO said.

“The threat to reliability resulting from the CER means that the regulation puts Alberta’s electricity grid at significant risk for little to no benefit.”

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