The planning has begun on a new interchange south of Edmonton.
The Alberta government is partnering with the City of Leduc and the Edmonton International Airport to cover the cost for design work on an interchange at 65 Avenue and the QEII Highway.
The province, the City of Leduc and the EIA are each investing $1.2 million. The government said the interchange would help reduce congestion and connect industrial development south of Leduc’s 65 Avenue with the EIA’s Perimeter Road.
“The airport and the region are major drivers of economic activity, diversity and job-creation for all of northern Alberta and this infrastructure project can build on that momentum,” Transportation Minister Brian Mason said.
READ MORE: Major QEII interchange in Edmonton’s far south now open
The province said the interchange would also reduce traffic entering the QEII at both Highway 39 and Airport Road.
“We have been working very closely with the Edmonton International Airport and the provincial government to move the 65 Avenue/QEII interchange project forward,” Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke said.
“Detailed design is one of the last steps before construction. This interchange will unlock further economic opportunities both on and around the airport.”
The province said completing this work early will allow for a better estimate of the total cost and timeline of the project, and enable it to be considered for potential provincial and federal funding.
“We are very grateful to partner with the Government of Alberta and the City of Leduc on this project,” EIA president and CEO Tom Ruth said. “This will help move forward the regional aerotropolis program where EIA integrates with the communities we serve so we can grow our regional economy.”
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The design work is expected to take at least two year after an engineering consultant is selected.
READ MORE: Federal and provincial governments commit $500M to Alberta highway projects
Earlier this year, the federal and provincial governments announced they are spending $535 million on highway projects in Alberta, including improvements to 96 QEII total projects.
The federal government is investing nearly $255 million, while the provincial government is contributing $279 million to the projects.
The interchange is not currently on the province’s three-year construction plan.
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