Construction on Highway 3 between Taber and Burdett will take up to three years. Tjrun262/Dreamstime.com

By Eli J. Ridder

INFRASTRUCTURE

Alberta’s renewed Highway 3 twinning project begins by Taber

May 31, 2024 | 1:10 PM

Construction began on a new phase of the Highway 3 Twinning Project on Friday as part of Alberta’s renewed push to finally get the decades-long initiative completed.

Spurred on by economic development in the region, the 46-kilometre section between Taber and Burdett will take up to three years to complete with traffic disruptions scheduled for fall 2024, according to a government timeline.

Expanding more of the cross-province highway will further stimulate business in the province, according to transportation minister Devin Dreeshan.

“To have this infrastructure there really does signal to investors around the world that southern Alberta can have that capacity and can be that magnet for investment and job creation here,” Dreeshan said during a ground-breaking ceremony east of Taber.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: September 27, 2024

17h ago

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: September 20, 2024

Sep 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: August 30, 2024

Aug 30, 2024

It marks the next step in the ongoing eight-phase project to expand the highway from two lanes to four.

WATCH: Highway 3 twinning press conference

Traffic impacts are expected to begin in the fall with a detour for bridge culvert installation between Highway 36 and Range Road 163 at Range Road 143.

Officials say the twinning will increase safety for drivers, support economic development and accommodate future growth in southern Alberta.

Premier Danielle Smith first revealed the Alberta government’s renewed Highway 3 twinning efforts in November 2022.

Smith, who is also the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, said the twinning of Highway 3 was the number one issue she heard from her constituents during the 2022 by-election campaign.

Eight phases

Smith directed the transportation minister to twin the entirety of Highway 3, from Saskatchewan to British Columbia.

These are the phases the premier outlined at the time:

• 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.

— with files from David Opinko