FORT McMURRAY, Alta. (July 12, 2005) — Alberta Transportation Minister Lyle Oberg wants enforcement boosted on the truck-heavy Highway 63 to Fort McMurray.

The Edmonton Journal reports that Oberg wants a stronger police presence as a stopgap solution to twinning Hwy. 63 — a plan many Alberta drivers and oil industry folks have been demanding for years.

Oberg announced his request while driving to Fort McMurray for a visit to the region by Alberta government members when he came upon a collision. Oberg — a doctor — stopped and helped an injured motorist.

Insp. Peter Clark, detachment commander for Fort McMurray RCMP, told the Journal only two officers are assigned to some 300 kilometres of highway between Wandering River and the northern oilsands plants.

A previous proposal to build a rail link from Edmonton to Fort McMurray, was thrown off-track in April. A handful of major oilsands companies originally lobbied for the link, but backed off after the government announced industry would have to foot the bill.

They said the $2.6-billion cost of the project outweighs the benefits and that freight levels alone won’t be able to justify the cost of a dedicated rail line.

Industry and government are now focusing on widening Hwy. 63, as well as building a new ring-road around Fort McMurray; and perhaps even adding a bridge across the Athabasca river.

— with files from the Edmonton Journal