Fort McMurray celebrates twins

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Motorists travelling on Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray will enjoy driving on 17 kilometres of newly twinned highway, as the province opens the roadway on Aug. 20.

“The newly twinned section of Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray will improve traffic safety for motorists and reduce congestion on the roadway,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation. “We also recognize that efficient and upgraded access to the oil sands area is vital to Alberta’s prosperity.”

Northbound traffic will be diverted to the new lanes starting at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20. The southbound lane will continue on the existing alignment. Repaving and repainting work will be completed on the southbound lanes in the coming weeks. More than 11,000 vehicles use this section of Highway 63 on a daily basis. The cost of the project was $80 million.

“I am pleased that this new stretch of highway is opening, as it addresses one of the main concerns for my constituents,” said Guy Boutilier, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. “I know this new stretch of highway will go a long way to improving the daily commute that many individuals experience.”

In addition to dividing Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray, the province is completing 16 kilometres of Highway 63 twinning south of Fort McMurray between Highways 69 and 881 at a cost of $53 million. The twinning south of Fort McMurray is expected to open later this fall, weather permitting.