Hundreds of jobs are expected to be created during the two-year project.
“Building a new Grande Prairie bypass will create good jobs, enable economic growth, and make travel safer for families,” said minister of energy Margaret McCuaig-Boyd. “With a local economy strongly tied to oil and gas, as well as forestry and agriculture, quality infrastructure and efficient transportation corridors are critical to move our world-class resources to market. A new bypass will support safer, more efficient travel for these industries and all Albertans.”
More than 27,000 vehicles a day - including heavy industrial traffic carrying dangerous goods - currently use Highway 43, which goes directly through Grande Prairie.
“This bypass is one of several new projects added to the provincial highway construction program due in part to a funding increase in Transportation’s Capital Plan,” said minister of transportation Brian Mason. “It will support a strong economic foundation for the region and for all Albertans.”
Acting on the advice of former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge, the province has undertaken a CA$34.8bn plan to build and upgrade critical infrastructure, including roads, transit, schools and hospitals.
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