Alberta's Highways

[dmuzika]

A summary of the improvements happening along Deerfoot Trail (AB 2) through Calgary; https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/whats-happening-on-deerfoot-trail-an-explainer-of-improvements-along-calgarys-vital-freeway.

[swiz_01]

Just found out recently that in 2021, Hwy. 56 was been extended northward to now have its northern terminus meet Hwy. 26, east of Camrose.  This eliminates the short stretch of Hwy. 834 north of Hwy. 13 and its concurrency with Hwy. 26.  This was due to local community requests.

https://county.camrose.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CamCounty_Fall_Newsletter-2021-lo-res.pdf

[Dougtone]

Saw this green on white Alberta highway shield on AB 13 westbound in Camrose, Alberta during my trip to Western Canada back in September. I'm not sure if this was an old standard, if it's on a special scenic route (Alberta has a bunch) or something else.

[LilianaUwU]

Saw this green on white Alberta highway shield on AB 13 westbound in Camrose, Alberta during my trip to Western Canada back in September. I'm not sure if this was an old standard, if it's on a special scenic route (Alberta has a bunch) or something else.

Depending on where it was, it might be a city install. I don't know enough about variations of the Alberta shield to properly tell, though.

[dmuzika]

Saw this green on white Alberta highway shield on AB 13 westbound in Camrose, Alberta during my trip to Western Canada back in September. I'm not sure if this was an old standard, if it's on a special scenic route (Alberta has a bunch) or something else.

Saw this green on white Alberta highway shield on AB 13 westbound in Camrose, Alberta during my trip to Western Canada back in September. I'm not sure if this was an old standard, if it's on a special scenic route (Alberta has a bunch) or something else.

Depending on where it was, it might be a city install. I don't know enough about variations of the Alberta shield to properly tell, though.

I grew up in Camrose and AB 13 is under City jurisdiction within city limits. There used to be few more at that intersection with AB 26, but that can be regarded as a non-official, City of Camrose variation.

[dmuzika]

Just found out recently that in 2021, Hwy. 56 was been extended northward to now have its northern terminus meet Hwy. 26, east of Camrose.  This eliminates the short stretch of Hwy. 834 north of Hwy. 13 and its concurrency with Hwy. 26.  This was due to local community requests.

https://county.camrose.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CamCounty_Fall_Newsletter-2021-lo-res.pdf

Arguably that probably should have been that way all along. The gravel country road was upgraded in the 1990s and was designated as Hwy 834 and I'm not sure why. It was prior to secondary highways being 'uploaded' and maintained by the province (previous to c. 2000 they were maintained by the local county or equivalent), so it might have been a jurisdictional thing.

On the same vain, the next change I'd like see Hwy 625 become part of Hwy 19. At this point it seems unnecessary for the roadway to change numbers at Hwy 2 and Beaumont is the largest community in Alberta not directly served by a 1-216 series (formerly Primary) highway.

[dmuzika]

I was looking at Alberta's Economic Corridors and came across something interesting. While most corridors are the usual suspects, one unexpected inclusion was Hwy 11 between Red Deer and the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) at Saskatchewan River Crossing. While the section between Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House might make some sense considering the province want to twin that section, the portion to the west as it's currently constructed does not as commercial traffic is prohibited on the Icefields Parkway, so from a commercial corridor perspective it's a dead-end as there are no population centers west of Rocky Mountain House.


Source: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/tec-economic-corridors-map.pdf

What makes it intriguing is on the Fact Sheet, published August 2024, states:

A conceptual route to extend Highway 11 to British Columbia's Highway 1 would reduce travel distance to Vancouver by 95 km, resulting in lower vehicle operating costs and reduced vehicle emissions. Additionally, this potential extension could alleviate traffic congestion and accidents within current National Park routes.

- On February 21, 2023, Transportation and Economic Corridors confirmed to the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), that it has approved up to a maximum of $150,000 in funding to update its economic pre-feasibility study to extend Highway 11 to British Columbia's Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway).

Its map also includes a dashed line from Saskatchewan River Crossing, through Howse Pass, to Hwy 1 north of Golden.


Source: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/fd8e3023-d897-4b85-8fe1-41bdc9aab577/resource/8e127541-fbc8-47e8-82a9-1deeb9b0b688/download/tec-economic-corridors-fact-sheet-highway11-red-deer-saskatchewan-river-crossing-2024.pdf

The issue is the connection falls entirely outside of Alberta provincial jurisdiction, with the proposed highway either being built in Banff National Park (in Alberta, but under federal jurisdiction) or British Columbia, the latter has expressed no interest in the project. With relatively few British Columbians set to benefit from the project, I wonder it would even get approval if, hypothetically, the Alberta government offered to pay 100% of the construction costs. Has there been precedent?

None the less, it's interesting to see an official document alluding to the proposal, the first time in decades.

[TXtoNJ]

I was looking at Alberta's Economic Corridors and came across something interesting. While most corridors are the usual suspects, one unexpected inclusion was Hwy 11 between Red Deer and the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) at Saskatchewan River Crossing. While the section between Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House might make some sense considering the province want to twin that section, the portion to the west as it's currently constructed does not as commercial traffic is prohibited on the Icefields Parkway, so from a commercial corridor perspective it's a dead-end as there are no population centers west of Rocky Mountain House.


Source: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/tec-economic-corridors-map.pdf

What makes it intriguing is on the Fact Sheet, published August 2024, states:

A conceptual route to extend Highway 11 to British Columbia's Highway 1 would reduce travel distance to Vancouver by 95 km, resulting in lower vehicle operating costs and reduced vehicle emissions. Additionally, this potential extension could alleviate traffic congestion and accidents within current National Park routes.

- On February 21, 2023, Transportation and Economic Corridors confirmed to the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP), that it has approved up to a maximum of $150,000 in funding to update its economic pre-feasibility study to extend Highway 11 to British Columbia's Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway).

Its map also includes a dashed line from Saskatchewan River Crossing, through Howse Pass, to Hwy 1 north of Golden.


Source: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/fd8e3023-d897-4b85-8fe1-41bdc9aab577/resource/8e127541-fbc8-47e8-82a9-1deeb9b0b688/download/tec-economic-corridors-fact-sheet-highway11-red-deer-saskatchewan-river-crossing-2024.pdf

The issue is the connection falls entirely outside of Alberta provincial jurisdiction, with the proposed highway either being built in Banff National Park (in Alberta, but under federal jurisdiction) or British Columbia, the latter has expressed no interest in the project. With relatively few British Columbians set to benefit from the project, I wonder it would even get approval if, hypothetically, the Alberta government offered to pay 100% of the construction costs. Has there been precedent?

None the less, it's interesting to see an official document alluding to the proposal, the first time in decades.

The biggest problem, from BC's perspective, is keeping that road maintained during the long winter. Will be an expensive ongoing cost.

[splashflash]

Study of Crowsnest Highway 3 Twinning Completed in 2019

Construction taking place now

Sentinel to Pincher Station

https://www.alberta.ca/highway-3-functional-planning-studies
This study focused on upgrading a 50 km section of Highway 3, a key part of Canada's National Highway System connecting southern Alberta to neighbouring provinces.

https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/styles/responsive_1040/private/custom_downloaded_images/at-hwy3-sentinel-map.jpg?itok=iifynpmq

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=92890DDADD869-A1CE-17D2-685EB7E9609A5187

Enhancing safety and economic growth in the north

Alberta's government is increasing emergency route capacity while opening new economic opportunities in the north.

[Concrete Bob]

I just spent a little over a week in Alberta and had a wonderful time driving through The Province. I have wanted to drive in Alberta since I was thirteen in 1977.  Me and my girlfriend Lori came up on I-15 through Sweetgrass and wound up in Lethbridge.   

We wound up driving on the Ring Roads of Calgary and Edmonton, Provincial Routes 4, 3. 2. 16. 93 and 1.  The weather was wet and in the upper 40s (F) but was surprisingly comfortable. Everyone we met were surprisingly friendly, and we felt like we were home with the locals. 

The rural multi-laned rural expressways function well and will easily be upgraded to freeways as needed and the Province funds. AB-16 to the west of Edmonton was the most beautiful drive in Spring.  It was Green, Verdant and enjoyable to drive. If I was wealthy enough to "Summer" in Albera (April through October) and "Winter" in Sacramento, I would be happier than a pig in "it-shay.

I really enjoyed my Canadian adventure, and I hope to visit again soon.  Alberta Rocks. The food was great. From scallion pancakes to donair and poutine, and great food at Silver Dragon and cocktails at Proof in Calgary.

What a Blast!  Alberta Rocks!  Lori and I loved it.     
 

[splashflash]

I just spent a little over a week in Alberta and had a wonderful time driving through The Province. I have wanted to drive in Alberta since I was thirteen in 1977.  Me and my girlfriend Lori came up on I-15 through Sweetgrass and wound up in Lethbridge.   

We wound up driving on the Ring Roads of Calgary and Edmonton, Provincial Routes 4, 3. 2. 16. 93 and 1.  The weather was wet and in the upper 40s (F) but was surprisingly comfortable. Everyone we met were surprisingly friendly, and we felt like we were home with the locals. 

The rural multi-laned rural expressways function well and will easily be upgraded to freeways as needed and the Province funds. AB-16 to the west of Edmonton was the most beautiful drive in Spring.  It was Green, Verdant and enjoyable to drive. If I was wealthy enough to "Summer" in Albera (April through October) and "Winter" in Sacramento, I would be happier than a pig in "it-shay.

I really enjoyed my Canadian adventure, and I hope to visit again soon.  Alberta Rocks. The food was great. From scallion pancakes to donair and poutine, and great food at Silver Dragon and cocktails at Proof in Calgary.

What a Blast!  Alberta Rocks!  Lori and I loved it.     
 

If you come back at the same time in future, take Highway 22 south of Calgary instead of highway 2.  That route, closer to the foothills, is spectacular.  Another drive worth taking from Calgary is Highway 9 to Drumheller and back on 585 through the Red Deere River Valley.