Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that construction on a section of Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett will begin in 2023. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Highway 3 twinning from Taber to Burdett to start 2023

Nov 25, 2022 | 1:18 PM

TABER, AB – The Government of Alberta has announced that efforts to twin Highway 3 are going ahead.

During a press conference in Medicine Hat on Friday, November 25, 2022, Premier Danielle Smith announced that construction on a 46 kilometre section of highway between Taber and Burdett will begin in 2023.

Three companies are currently in the bidding process for this project.

Smith, who is also the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, says the twinning of Highway 3 was the number one issue she heard from her constituents during this fall’s by-election campaign.

“Highway 3 is a main connector linking Alberta with neighbouring provinces to the east and west, so there are plenty of big commercial trucks mixed in with local traffic,” says Smith. “Twinning this section of highway will make travel between Taber and Burdett safer for families, and in fact, all vehicles. Increased traffic capacity will also ensure businesses can get raw materials and move product to market more efficiently than ever.”

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She has directed the Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen to develop plans to twin all remaining sections of Highway 3. As outlined in a press release from the province, the eight phases are in various stages of development:

• Phase 1: 46 kilometres – A request for proposals has been issued to the shortlisted design build proponents to twin Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett. Construction is expected to start in 2023.
• Phase 2: 10 kilometres – Highway 3X/Coleman Bypass. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023.
• Phase 3: 15 kilometres – East of Seven Persons to Medicine Hat. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in spring 2023.
• Phase 4: 47 kilometres – Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in 2023.
• Phase 5: 28 kilometres – East of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons. Functional planning studies have been completed and detailed engineering design will begin in summer 2023.
• Phase 6: 23 kilometres – East of Burdett to east of Bow Island. A functional planning study has been completed and the province will continue to consult with the Town of Bow Island and other stakeholders in order to finalize the alignment.
• Phase 7: 38 kilometres – Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod. A functional planning study through Piikani Nation is underway and will continue for some time.
• Phase 8: Eight kilometres – Alberta-B.C. border to Highway 3X. Continued engagement with B.C. is necessary to consider alignment with improvements being planned through the B.C. portion.

Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter says, with Southern Alberta being a major hub for agriculture, a fully twinned highway will help farmers and producers to get their products to both domestic and international markets.

“This important announcement is a critical step in the larger agri-food processing corridor our government has been developing. It will provide the necessary infrastructure needed to help get our world-class agricultural products to processing plants in the area and then out to feed the world,” says Hunter.

Dreeshen adds that large infrastructure projects like this are not only great for the economy, but will allow people and businesses to move throughout the region more easily.

“This will make travel safer, quicker and easier for everyone across southern Alberta. Shipping what we make has been a big problem for our province,” says Dreeshen. “Expanding Highway 3 will make it a lot easier for farmers and businesses here to get their products to buyers – whether they live in Alberta or anywhere in the world.”

Work on twinning the Taber to Burdett section of Highway 3 has been ongoing for several years. The provine announced a functional planning for this project in July 2020.

READ MORE: Government announces Highway 3 twinning between Taber and Burdett