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By Omran Wahidy

Premier updates Highway 3 twinning project

Jul 27, 2023 | 2:53 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – More than three years after then-premier Jason Kenney announced the twinning of Highway 3 from Taber to Burdett, the current premier gave an update on the project while in Medicine Hat on Wednesday.

“I think the plan that we put forward will build it in eight segments, and so we know that it’s going to be an essential agro-food corridor,” said Premier Danielle Smith.

The Taber to Burdett stretch is one of the phases to expand 215 kilometres of highway. The twinning would fulfill a commitment made by Smith after winning a byelection in Brooks-Medicine Hat last year.

“When I made Devin Dreeshen transportation and economic corridors minister, I asked him to prioritize those things that are going to be essential to attracting new development. We have already seen that with McCain’s doing a major investment, there are other agro-food businesses that want to invest in this area,” she said.

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A request for proposals was issued last November.

The highway is a crucial east-west link and connector between Saskatchewan and B.C. south of the Trans-Canada Highway.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to make sure that they have easy access and access to markets,” Smith said.

The project initially picked up steam after a petition was launched by the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association in 2020 to get the highway twinned. The multi-year project was set to begin construction in 2023.

The eight phases released are:

• 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 most of these timelines already passed by, the provincial government is yet to release a new timeline for construction to begin.