Alberta
It’s Open!
The Gaetz Avenue interchange is now open to traffic.
From the Province of Alberta
Gaetz Avenue interchange open in Red Deer
As the 2018 construction season comes to a close, the Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue interchange in Red Deer is fully open to traffic.
The new interchange will improve traffic flow and safety for highway travellers, local residents and commuters and businesses in the Red Deer area.
“This section of the QEII has always been a pinch-point for motorists. Alberta Transportation, the City and County of Red Deer, along with the contractor, worked diligently to make sure we could safely open the interchange in time for the Canada Winter Games this February. This new interchange improves the flow of traffic and increases safety on a heavily travelled stretch of highway.”
“Our community appreciates the modernized QEII interchange with Gaetz Avenue that is now open to traffic. The new interchange will greatly enhance safety and improve access for citizens in Red Deer and region, as well as for the thousands of our fellow Canadians who will be joining us from across our country for the Canada Winter Games.”
“Red Deer County is thrilled to see the Gaetz Avenue interchange project come to a conclusion. This was a massive project, and, in only two years, we have completely changed the way that motorists access Gasoline Alley and the City of Red Deer. This project has improved vehicle safety and efficiency – which creates even greater demand for local businesses. We are also excited to see the beginning of a new business area adjacent to the highway, at the Junction of Highways 2 and 42.”
Construction of the $80 million Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue interchange began in 2016. The project includes five new bridges, new on and off ramps for northbound and southbound traffic, the widening and realignment of Highway 2 and the integration of the Taylor Drive and Gaetz Avenue interchanges. Minor finishing work, such as final paving, signage, guardrail installation and landscaping, will be completed in 2019.
The project was one of more than 195 projects included in the 2018 Construction Program. Of those projects, 139 will be completed by the end of the fiscal year and 56, which are multi-year projects, will continue in the 2019 construction season.
2018 construction season highlights:
- Five year budget for highways and bridges – $5.6 billion
- 2018-19 fiscal year – $1.1 billion
- 2018-19 fiscal year to the end of September, 2018 – $719 million
- 1,100 kilometres of roads were maintained with pavement rehabilitation work in 2018, which is equivalent to the driving distance between Edmonton and Brandon, Man.
Southwest Calgary Ring Road
- Construction of the Southwest Ring Road is now more than 40 per cent complete with full completion scheduled for October 2021.
- River channel alignment works are complete at all three locations.
- More than 90 per cent of utility realignment is complete.
Highway 43X bypass (Grande Prairie)
- The roundabout at Highway 43X and Range Road 63 opened in mid-September.
Peace River Bridge
- Work continues on the west side at the Shaftesbury Interchange and the CN Rail overpass.
- All project components (except the main bridge) are expected to open during fall 2019.
- Completion of the 98 Street overpass is expected during summer 2019.
- The main bridge is on schedule to open during fall 2020.
Highway 19
- Work on the east section of the project is expected to be complete in 2019.
- During the winter of 2018-19, two lanes per direction are expected to open to traffic.
- Construction of a roundabout at Highway 39 and 60 is expected begin in 2019.
Highway 15 twinning and related work
- Design is underway for the overall Highway 15 twinning project.
- Construction is anticipated to begin in 2019, and is estimated to take about three years.
- Repaving of four kilometres of highway between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan was completed in 2017.
- Upgrades to the existing bridge substructures, concrete piers, guardrails and drainage system was completed in 2017.
Show your Alberta side. Buy Local. |
When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.
Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.
The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.
“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”
Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.
Quick facts
- This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
- In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
- Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
- Made in Alberta product catalogue website
Related information
Alberta
Province to expand services provided by Alberta Sheriffs: New policing option for municipalities
Expanding municipal police service options |
Proposed amendments would help ensure Alberta’s evolving public safety needs are met while also giving municipalities more options for local policing.
As first announced with the introduction of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, Alberta’s government is considering creating a new independent agency police service to assume the police-like duties currently performed by Alberta Sheriffs. If passed, Bill 49 would lay additional groundwork for the new police service.
Proposed amendments to the Police Act recognize the unique challenges faced by different communities and seek to empower local governments to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing overall public safety across the province.
If passed, Bill 49 would specify that the new agency would be a Crown corporation with an independent board of directors to oversee its day-to-day operations. The new agency would be operationally independent from the government, consistent with all police services in Alberta. Unlike the Alberta Sheriffs, officers in the new police service would be directly employed by the police service rather than by the government.
“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta. As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”
Additional amendments would allow municipalities to select the new agency as their local police service once it becomes fully operational and the necessary standards, capacity and frameworks are in place. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the new agency works collaboratively with all police services to meet the province’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities. While the RCMP would remain the official provincial police service, municipalities would have a new option for their local policing needs.
Once established, the agency would strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which include the RCMP, Indigenous police services and municipal police. It would help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently across the province.
Related information
Liberals Replace Candidate Embroiled in Election Interference Scandal with Board Member of School Flagged in Canada’s Election Interference Inquiry
Massive new study links COVID jabs to higher risk of myocarditis, stroke, artery disease
Is Canada’s Federation Fair?
Province introducing “Patient-Focused Funding Model” to fund acute care in Alberta
-
Bruce Dowbiggin2 days agoIs HNIC Ready For The Winnipeg Jets To Be Canada’s Heroes?
-
COVID-192 days agoCOVID virus, vaccines are driving explosion in cancer, billionaire scientist tells Tucker Carlson
-
Dr. Robert Malone2 days agoThe West Texas Measles Outbreak as a Societal and Political Mirror
-
illegal immigration1 day agoDespite court rulings, the Trump Administration shows no interest in helping Abrego Garcia return to the U.S.
-
Health2 days agoHorrific and Deadly Effects of Antidepressants
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoConservative MP Leslyn Lewis warns Canadian voters of Liberal plan to penalize religious charities
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoEuthanasia is out of control in Canada, but nobody is talking about it on the campaign trail
-
Education1 day agoSchools should focus on falling math and reading grades—not environmental activism