EDMONTON, Alta. — The Alberta government is moving ahead with the construction of the North Edmonton Ring Road utilizing a public-private partnership (P3) model.

The 21-kilometre north leg of the ring road will stretch from Yellowhead Trail on the west side of Edmonton to the Manning Drive Freeway, with no signal lights and includes eight interchanges and five flyovers, for a total of 27 bridge structures.

“This latest addition to the Edmonton ring road will complete almost 90% of Anthony Henday Drive, significantly improving transportation in and around Edmonton,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “When completed, Edmonton’s ring road will provide a hub for Alberta’s transportation network.”

Based on the success of the Edmonton southeast and Calgary northeast P3 projects, the government will follow the same process for the next leg of Anthony Henday Drive.

Using the P3 process, the road will be constructed at a fixed price, finished two years earlier than through conventional delivery, and include a 30-year warranty.

“The success of the Edmonton southeast and Calgary northeast projects have proven that public-private partnerships work – ring roads can be built quickly, safely and at a cost savings for Albertans,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “I have tremendous confidence in our P3 process as the best approach for delivering this project.”

Government is also moving ahead with final planning on the remaining nine-kilometre section linking Manning Drive to Yellowhead Trail on the east side of Edmonton. This phase of the project will include a new bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.

The final contract is expected to be awarded by mid 2008, with construction beginning as early as fall 2008 and completed by fall 2011.