Safety and efficiency key factors in Highway 3 Twinning

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tenille Miller, Director of Advancement for the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association, says that Stage 1 of the Highway 3 Twinning Project is well underway.

Miller says that involves twinning 46 kilometers from Taber to Burdett, a project that is anticipated to reach completion by Spring of 2026. The project, Miller says, has two stages that currently have engineering underway, those sections being 10 kilometers from Highway 3X to the Coleman Bypass and five kilometers between Seven Persons and Medicine Hat. There are also various stages where consultation and functional planning is still taking place. Miller says, in addition to that, work is being done to create wildlife crossings in a few areas that are intended to create safer routes for travelling.

In addition to that, Miller says, there are ‘many more steps to be completed’, as the government approved the twinning for Highway 3 to be completed over a 10 year period; those steps include 47 kilometers from Blairmore to east of Highway 6 at Pincher Creek, 28 kilometers from east of Bow Island to east of Seven Persons, 38 kilometers from east of Burdett to east of Bow Island, 38 kilometers from Pincher Creek to west of Fort Macleod, and eight kilometers from the Alberta/B.C. Border to Highway 3X.

The project, Miller says, involves communities and municipalities from the Saskatchewan border to the B.C. border, and the board overseeing the project currently includes every municipality between Medicine Hat and Crowsnest Pass, with the exception of the M.D. of Willow Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek, and Cowley. 

“The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association (H3TDA) is a community and industry led initiative in Southern Alberta that has been advocating for the twinning of Highway 3 for over 20 years,” said Miller. “Much of the progress that has happened along the corridor, from twinned sections to upgraded intersections, and passing lanes, has been because of the influence our members have brought to bear on these issues with government. The board currently includes every municipality between Medicine Hat and Crowsnest Pass, with exception of the M.D. of Willow Creek, the M.D. of Pincher Creek, and Cowley. In addition to municipal members, we currently have 17 business/industry members, and 20 member organizations that have joined all with the vested interest in twinning for safety, increased efficiency, regional connectivity, tourism development, and enhanced economic growth.  Our association has also built relationships with our local, provincial, and federal representatives to keep this project moving forward. And we have very strong ties with the individuals at Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors assisting with collaboration with individual communities, landowners, and the general public to ensure that concerns are heard and the best decisions are made for each individual community.”

Miller says that the cost of the project is $4 – 8 million dollars per kilometer, but the effects of the project will be long lasting, as the area will be considered a place for current and future investment due to enhanced economic growth, boosts to agriculture and resource sectors, tourism development, regional connectivity, and long-term investment appeal.

“Highway 3 is a key corridor for transporting goods, particularly for agriculture, energy, and manufacturing sectors,” said Miller. “Twinning would enhance the efficiency of moving goods across southern Alberta and into neighboring provinces and the U.S., boosting the region’s trade potential. This improved infrastructure can attract new businesses and industries to the region. Southern Alberta’s agricultural sector relies heavily on Highway 3 for transporting crops, livestock, and agricultural products. Twinning the highway would improve transportation logistics, reduce delays, and lower costs for farmers and businesses involved in food processing, distribution, and export. It would also benefit the oil and gas industry, allowing for smoother transportation of equipment and materials.”

Southern Alberta, Miller says, also serves as a ‘gateway’ to many key tourism attractions.

“Twinning the highway would make these destinations more accessible and appealing to tourists, leading to increased tourism revenue and economic growth for local businesses in hospitality, retail, and services,” said Miller. “Twinning Highway 3 would better connect southern Alberta communities such as Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and the smaller rural towns along the route. This enhanced connectivity promotes economic development in these areas by making them more attractive for businesses and residents alike. Modern and efficient transportation infrastructure is a key factor for businesses considering investment in a region. A twinned Highway 3 would make southern Alberta a more attractive location for companies looking to establish logistics hubs, distribution centers, or other industrial activities that rely on efficient road transport. We are already seeing great opportunities for long term investment within our area that can be linked back to these factors such as NewCold storage in Coaldale, the expansion of McCains, many new businesses within the Taber area.”

Thus far, Miller says, the response to the Highway 3 Twinning Project has been great.

“There is a great deal of support from residents, business owners, and municipal representatives,” said Miller. “There is much positivity and optimism when looking at the potential that comes with twinning.”

 However, Miller says, along with positivity and optimism sometimes comes the feeling of fear and uncertainty that comes when landowners and/or business owners are faced with difficult decisions for their operations in areas where there is potential future highway development.  

“Some communities welcome the idea of having the highway traffic routed around their town and others are unsure or nervous about the impact of doing so, and that is why it is so important to have all parties at the table to voice their concerns in the early phases of planning,” said Miller. “Recently much time has been spent with the communities of Grassy Lake and Seven Persons to discuss areas of interest within their community to work together and look at the potential options for road accesses, traffic flow, and ideas to lessen the impact to agricultural lands.”