Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic with Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter (left) and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devon Dreeshen.
Fort Macleod got the official news it was waiting for with the announcement Stage 1A of the Highway 3 realignment will go ahead.
The project involves realignment of three kilometres of the westbound lanes of Highway 3 at the east entrance to town, opening 60 acres of town-owned land and more than 70 acres of land owned by the province for commercial development.
“With the realignment we will actually open additional land for development, which will obviously increase the economic benefit and job opportunities for so many people here in southern Alberta,” Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devon Dreeshen said.
The project includes new traffic signals at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 3.
Dreeshen and Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic were in Fort Macleod for a news conference in a field near the UFA station.
The announcement attracted business representatives, the Chamber of Commerce and Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Alliance.
Dreeshen said the $1-million tender for engineering work will start this year with construction to begin in the spring of 2026.
“It’s been a long time in the making,” Dreeshen said, crediting Petrovic for moving the project forward.
“That’s most of the reason we’re here today, but obviously Mayor Brent Feyter and the town have been great advocates for this very important project.”
The Town of Fort Macleod wrote the province in October 2023 to outline the benefits of Stage 1A, which include bringing the east- and westbound lanes of Highway 3 together beginning at about the turn-off to Bouvry Exports into Fort Macleod.
That would eliminate the shift into a single lane of traffic for westbound vehicles heading into town.
The shift would provide access to land the Town of Fort Macleod could prepare for highway commercial development.
Petrovic said the Stage 1A project is important to the continued growth of Alberta, and Fort Macleod.
“Alberta is growing, and so are the communities across our province, Petrovic said. “This growth requires thoughtful investment in roads, bridges and airports to support even more people.”
“Projects like the one we’re announcing today is testament to our government’s unwavering commitment to meeting those needs.”
Petrovic said Stage 1A is more than just an infrastructure project.
“This vital connection between Highway 2 and Highway 3 will unlock the full potential of Alberta’s economic corridor by improving the flow of goods, services and people, laying a foundation for new investment, stronger communities and long-term growth across the region.”
Petrovic said the infrastructure will add good, stable jobs that provide long-term prosperity in southern Alberta.
“This project is not just about building roads,” Petrovic said. “It’s about building a better future for our children and grandchildren.”
Feyter thanked Dreeshen, Petrovic and the province for investing in the Stage 1A realignment.
Feyter said bringing the east- and westbound lanes together will reduce confusion and improve safety.
“It’s something we’ve been advocating as a town for a number of years,” Feyter said of a project that improves traffic entrance to the community and open opportunity for economic development.
Feyter said the Fort Macleod community is eager for the twinning of Highway 3 to be completed.
“This is no small investment for Fort Macleod and southern Alberta,” Feyter said of Stage 1A. “We’re very grateful for this opportunity. We’re looking forward to working with the province.”
Dreeshen also brought an update on the twinning of Highway 3.
“Highway 3 is so important to southern Alberta,” Dreeshen said. noting the work on twinning between Taber and Burdett is well under way.
The full twinning of Highway 3 is to be completed in eight sections, which are in various stages of planning and engineering.
Dreeshen also announced more than $613,000 in Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP) grants to improve local roads and community airport infrastructure in Livingstone-Macleod.
The STIP funding will support grade widening on Range Road 263 in the MD of Willow Creek, improving safety and travel on an important industrial route used by local agricultural and construction operations.
The Claresholm Industrial Airport will receive $229,050 for rehabilitation work on its emergency cross-strip runway, ensuring a safe landing surface for aircraft in emergency situations.
“All of these projets will go a long way in improving life here in southern Alberta,” Dreeshen said.
Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic with Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter (left) and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devon Dreeshen.
