Highway 3 Twinning Association wants financial commitment from Province

The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association is advocating for $3.2 Million ($1.6 per section) to be included in the next budget cycle to complete Engineering for TWO (2) sections of Highway 3 twinning; Taber to Burdett and Medicine Hat to Seven Person’s.

The Province has recently completed functional planning studies for twinning almost all sections of Highway 3, and Engineering is the next step in the long-term plan to prepare for construction start.

Though the Association supports twinning 100% of Highway 3, they have identified these affordable sections for this fiscal budget in recognition of the Provincial budget challenges. The association hopes to work with the Province to include reasonable funding in all future budgets and maintain forward momentum, eventually resulting in a fully twinned Highway 3.

“We are making an affordable and achievable request within the limits of the current situation that Alberta finds itself. A commitment to the engineering for these two sections would keep the project rolling forward while respecting current limitations,” said President Bill Chapman, Highway 3 Twinning Development Association, Councillor for the Town of Coaldale.

“For Safety, Economic and Logistical concerns it is time that Highway 3 be twinned. This project needs to be placed on High Priority when looking at funding allocations. Millions of dollars have been spent on several studies over the past 20 years, and now it is time to take action on the recommendations,” said Drew Barnes, Cypress Medicine Hat, MLA.

“Highway 3 is an important piece of infrastructure that provides an enormous value to the entire province of Alberta and beyond,” says Lethbridge Mayor, Chris Spearman. “The expansion of this highway is integral to ensuring safe and efficient passage for some of the largest produce and food processing plants in the country. A funding commitment from the province to twin Highway 3 would be a commitment to investing in industry and a stable Alberta economy.”