Premier Jason Kenney was in Sylvan Lake this morning to announce the twinning of 66km of Highway 11 from Sylvan Lake to Rocky Mountain House.

Transportation Ric McIver was on hand, joined by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen, as well as Environment Minister Jason Nixon.

As well, local dignitaries included Sylvan Lake Mayor Sean McIntyre and Rocky Mountain House Mayor Tammy Burke and representatives from Lacombe County, Red Deer County and Clearwater County.

Sylvan Lake Mayor Sean McIntyre said this twinning project will provide a safer access for residents, guests and those doing business in the area.

McIver said the project will be a great improvement to the communities surrounding this stretch of the David Thompson Highway.

"It does three things: it improves safety, which is our number one priority in transportation. It supports our platform commitment to help build our tourism industry by significantly improving access to this country you know is beautiful if you live here and lastly, it ensures the local industry...can get goods and commodities in and out," McIver said.

Consultation and design processes begin immediately for the $120 million project, with construction said to begin next year. 

According to provincial officials, this project is said to stimulate approximately 580 jobs in the area during the time of construction. 

Premier Kenney said improving this stretch of highway will improve industry access to bolster agriculture, natural resource development and tourism. 

"There is enormous potential to expand all of these economic drivers, and the David Thompson Highway is the backbone to support that investment, to create those future jobs, and to generate the growth that will come along with it," he said. 

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, said, “The twinning of the David Thompson Highway is an important infrastructure project for our community and will support further investment in the province. It will address the congestion at the 781 intersection that continues to plague the area and, frankly, is long overdue. Most importantly, this project will create jobs right here in central Alberta at a time when Albertans need it most."

Tammy Burke, Mayor of Rocky Mountain House, said this project will help the already increasing traffic coming into the Town to flow more safely, and iwll open up the Town for greater business access.

Quick facts

  • Sylvan Lake and the David Thompson Country region are popular summer vacation destinations.
  • Design work will start in 2020 with construction activities getting underway in the 2021 construction season following land acquisition.
  • A project of this scope typically takes about four years to build.
  • The project will be completed in phases over the following several construction seasons. 
  • About 5,800 vehicles use this section of Highway 11 each day.
  • This project is anticipated to support 344 direct and 248 indirect jobs.
  • For the full provincial press release, click here.