As the 2018 construction season comes to a close, the Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue interchange in Red Deer is fully open to traffic.

The new interchange will improve traffic flow and safety for highway travellers, local residents and commuters and businesses in the Red Deer area.

“This section of the QEII has always been a pinch-point for motorists. Alberta Transportation, the City and County of Red Deer, along with the contractor, worked diligently to make sure we could safely open the interchange in time for the Canada Winter Games this February. This new interchange improves the flow of traffic and increases safety on a heavily travelled stretch of highway.”

“Our community appreciates the modernized QEII interchange with Gaetz Avenue that is now open to traffic. The new interchange will greatly enhance safety and improve access for citizens in Red Deer and region, as well as for the thousands of our fellow Canadians who will be joining us from across our country for the Canada Winter Games.”

“Red Deer County is thrilled to see the Gaetz Avenue interchange project come to a conclusion. This was a massive project, and, in only two years, we have completely changed the way that motorists access Gasoline Alley and the City of Red Deer. This project has improved vehicle safety and efficiency – which creates even greater demand for local businesses. We are also excited to see the beginning of a new business area adjacent to the highway, at the Junction of Highways 2 and 42.”

Construction of the $80 million Highway 2/Gaetz Avenue interchange began in 2016. The project includes five new bridges, new on and off ramps for northbound and southbound traffic, the widening and realignment of Highway 2 and the integration of the Taylor Drive and Gaetz Avenue interchanges. Minor finishing work, such as final paving, signage, guardrail installation and landscaping, will be completed in 2019.

The project was one of more than 195 projects included in the 2018 Construction Program. Of those projects, 139 will be completed by the end of the fiscal year and 56, which are multi-year projects, will continue in the 2019 construction season.

2018 construction season highlights:

• Five year budget for highways and bridges – $5.6 billion
• 2018-19 fiscal year – $1.1 billion
• 2018-19 fiscal year to the end of September, 2018 – $719 million
• 1,100 kilometres of roads were maintained with pavement rehabilitation work in 2018, which is equivalent to the driving distance between Edmonton and Brandon, Man.

Southwest Calgary Ring Road

• Construction of the Southwest Ring Road is now more than 40 per cent complete with full completion scheduled for October 2021.
• River channel alignment works are complete at all three locations.
• More than 90 per cent of utility realignment is complete.

Highway 43X bypass (Grande Prairie)

• The roundabout at Highway 43X and Range Road 63 opened in mid-September.

Peace River Bridge

• Work continues on the west side at the Shaftesbury Interchange and the CN Rail overpass.
• All project components (except the main bridge) are expected to open during fall 2019.
• Completion of the 98 Street overpass is expected during summer 2019.
• The main bridge is on schedule to open during fall 2020.

Highway 19

• Work on the east section of the project is expected to be complete in 2019.
• During the winter of 2018-19, two lanes per direction are expected to open to traffic.
• Construction of a roundabout at Highway 39 and 60 is expected begin in 2019.

Highway 15 twinning and related work

• Design is underway for the overall Highway 15 twinning project.
• Construction is anticipated to begin in 2019, and is estimated to take about three years.
• Repaving of four kilometres of highway between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan was completed in 2017.
• Upgrades to the existing bridge substructures, concrete piers, guardrails and drainage system was completed in 2017.

Albertans have a new way to support their community and show pride for their favourite hockey teams.

Whether Albertans cheer for the Calgary Flames or the Edmonton Oilers, they can proudly display their support on their vehicles. Service Alberta is introducing two new specialty licence plate designs that feature team logos, slogans and colours. Money raised from the plates will benefit the Calgary Flames Foundation and the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

“Albertans are passionate about hockey. We’re pleased to give them a way to not only express their loyalty to their favourite NHL team on their vehicles, but also give back to their communities. I’m looking forward to seeing the battle of Alberta extend to licence plates on our highways and roads.”

Starting Nov. 19, the plates can be ordered from Alberta registry agents for a one-time cost of $75 plus a registry agent charge. From those funds, $20 is retained by the government to recover costs of producing and shipping the plates, and the remaining $55 will go to the Calgary Flames Foundation or the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, depending on the plate selected.

“We are very appreciative of the Government of Alberta for inviting us to participate in this program. We look forward to sharing the proceeds raised by this initiative with charitable and other organizations based in southern Alberta in support of health and wellness, education and amateur and grassroots sports. The new licence plates will allow the Calgary Flames Foundation to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of southern Albertans and build on the over $32 million distributed since inception. Thank you for selecting the Flames brand to make a difference in our community.”

“The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is excited for the opportunity to partner with the Government of Alberta on their specialty licence plate program. The proceeds from the licence plates will be used to help the Oilers Foundation pursue its goal of helping build strong, vibrant and safe communities, with a focus on programs that support health and wellness, education and minor hockey programing for youth in northern Alberta.”

Plates will be mailed to Albertans after the order is placed through the registry agent. If they choose to register the plate to a vehicle after receiving it, standard registration fees apply.

The two new hockey designs are an expansion of the existing specialty licence plate program, which features the popular Support Our Troops design honouring current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces.