The Alberta government has announced $15 million to improve maintenance on Highway 63, responding to months of mounting criticism about the route’s poor condition.
Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen revealed the investment on Sunday as part of a broader $22.4-million boost to the province’s overall highway maintenance budget, and is intended to expand patch paving and speed up pothole fixes.
The new funding arrives shortly after local frustration boiled over in June, when residents took matters into their own hands and organized volunteer potholes repairs on a stretch of Highway 63.
In response to public pressure, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Mayor Sandy Bowman held talks in June with Minister Dreeshen and provincial officials.
Following the meeting, Bowman noted that the province pledged to fast-track pothole repairs, general road maintenance, highway cleaning, and line painting.
The province further committed to examining a possible agreement that would let the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo take over spring and summer maintenance duties on a specific section of Highway 63 — from the municipal landfill to the Highway 686 turnoff.
Additionally, the province is fast-tracking a contract to repave 48 kilometres of southbound lanes near Wandering River. A separate contract will fund paving on 30 kilometres of Highways 63 and 881 in the Fort McMurray region.
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