Province touts new capital budget, including two major projects in Southern Alberta

The 2021-24 Capital Plan specifically mentions two significant initiatives in Southern Alberta, although the budget could contain additional projects for the region as well.

Over three years, $85-million will go towards twinning the section of Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett, starting with a $10-million investment in 2021-22.

“Budget 2021 upgrades and maintains Alberta’s highways to get Albertans back to work now and prepare for future growth. Building and fixing highways, roads, bridges, and water systems across our province protects lives and livelihoods in our communities,” says Transportation Minister Ric McIver.

As well, the provincial government will contribute $18.1-million for the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre Expansion to Lethbridge’s Exhibition Park. Construction starts this week.

Other highlights from the 2021-24 Capital Plan include:

14 school projects and an increase to the modular classroom program for $268 million
Five new health projects for a total of $143 million, including the redevelopment of the Rockyview General Hospital’s intensive care unit, coronary care unit, and gastrointestinal unit for $59 million
A new Court of Appeal building in Calgary for $57 million
$48.7 million for Environment and Parks projects including flood mitigation for $9 million and watercourse and watershed resiliency projects for $29 million
The Calgary Cancer Centre for $468 million
The Gene Zwozdesky Centre at Norwood for $246 million
The new Red Deer Justice Centre for $177 million
The Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator in Leduc for $24 million
62 previously announced school projects underway throughout the province for $1.2 billion
$1.3 billion for provincial highway construction including improvements on Deerfoot Trail, expanding Highway 1A between Cochrane and Canmore, building the Grande Prairie Bypass, and constructing an interchange at the QEII and 40th Avenue in Airdrie
$154 million toward long-awaited capital projects in Edmonton including the expansion of Terwillegar Drive, grade-separation on 50th Street at the CPR tracks, and upgrading Yellowhead Trail into a free-flow freeway
Reaffirming our commitment to LRT projects in both Calgary and Edmonton
$2.5 billion in capital grants to local governments including the Municipal Sustainability Initiative, the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP), the Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership, Water for Life and the First Nations Water Tie-in

More information on the Capital Plan below:

2021-24 Capital Plan Overview

2021-24 Capital Plan Projects

by David Opinko

Province touts new capital budget, including two major projects in Southern Alberta

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