FORT MACLEOD, Alta. – Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has promised his government will twin portions of Hwy. 3 in southern Alberta, but a specific timeline was not forthcoming.

In a speech to the Fort Macleod and District Chamber of Commerce, Stelmach touched on highway twinning plans and highway bypass plans set for the towns of Claresholm and Nanton.

“I’m pleased to confirm that the two lane portions of Highway 3 west of Fort MacLeod and east of Lethbridge will be twinned, with timelines still to be confirmed,” Stelmach said in his speech. “In the meantime, we are investing $15 million for about a dozen sets of passing lanes, which will improve safety and convenience.”

In addition, the government plans to look at options to increase the highway to four lanes on the current alignment through Crowsnest Pass as a medium-term measure.

The province recently completed studies on building bypasses on Hwy. 2 around the two southern Alberta towns, with the long-term plan to bypass the municipality to the south and west.

“For Highway 2 through Claresholm and Nanton, we completed bypass studies last year and are in the process of securing property required for both routes,” said Stelmach.”I know the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation is working hard to move forward on all of these projects as quickly as possible,” he added. “And to keep communities informed of any new developments.”

However, a number of local area business leaders and MLAs were dissatisfied with the vague plans and timelines delivered in the speech and urged the Premier to speed up the time frame for the improvements.