Cold In-Place paving crew resurfacing a section of Highway 33 near Barrhead. (Gov't of Alberta)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)/rdnewsNOW

42 projects to be funded this year

Province announces increased budget for highway paving

Aug 17, 2023 | 3:52 PM

The Government of Alberta is set to invest $335 million into keeping the province’s highways smooth and safe, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen announced Thursday afternoon.

Dreeshen said the projects will ensure the provincial highway network is safe and efficient, but also improved for families as well as those in the energy, agriculture and logistics sector.

There will be 42 projects in year one, broken down as follows:

• Nine projects in north central/Fort McMurray regions
• 14 projects in Peace Region
• 11 overlay/paving projects in southern region
• Eight projects in central region

The projects are as follows:

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“Albertans have been clear that they expect our highways to be well-maintained,” said Dreeshen. “That is why we are adding an increase of $80 million to the paving and overlay budget to ensure that Albertans are driving on the best roads in the country, and our industries can efficiently deliver goods and services along our expansive economic corridors.”

The increase of $80 million is compared to last year.

One project, Dreeshen noted, will test the use of the Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) technology along Highway 33 near Barrhead.

According to the province, CIR technology grinds existing pavement, remixes it with new materials and replaces it as a new layer of pavement. This reduces the need to haul old material and reduces emissions as materials are remixed without using heat. The technology is generally used along portions of highway with severe stress, such as cracking.

Alberta has more than 31,400 km of highways.

Watch the full news conference below: