Fort McMurray highway twinning project begins

EDMONTON — Engineering work has begun in twinning Alberta’s Hwy. 63 to the oilsands in Fort McMurray.

Transportation ministry spokesperson Bart Johnson confirmed that the $400 million highway project is a go, but could not give an accurate timeline on when construction would begin, according to a Canadian Press report.

Johnson said minister Lyle Oberg has given instruction to expedite plans for the twinning.

In the CP report, Johnson admitted the province has been under pressure to twin the highway because of heavy traffic volumes and a growing number of fatal accidents, including one this week in which a oilsands worker from Calgary was killed.

In the last five years, 22 people have died and more than 250 have been injured on the northern roadway, reports CP.

Johnson also confirmed that about $150 million from Ottawa for infrastructure projects has been earmarked for the Fort McMurray highway.

Earlier this year, the province announced $530 million worth of improvements to highways leading into Fort McMurray.

But that doesn’t involve twinning the section of highway where Tuesday’s fatal crash occurred.

— from Canadian Press