Alberta commits $33M in funding to construct Leduc interchange

LEDUC, Alta.—The Alberta government has chipped in $33 million to kick start construction of a long-awaited overpass that will connect the City of Leduc, Alta. with the Edmonton International Airport

Premier Rachel Notley announced the funding to build an interchange at 65 Avenue and Highway 2 in the city south of Edmonton Jan. 25.

“Leduc and EIA have been looking for funding to get it done for a period of time and so the province of Alberta has stepped up to offer the $33 million,” Notley said. “Obviously, that’s not the full amount, but we think that they’ll be able to get moving on construction now.”

The project — expected to create 4,000 construction jobs — includes construction of a new bridge over Highway 2, adjacent to the existing 50 Street bridge in Leduc, as well as on-ramps from the highway. The airport’s Perimeter Road and 65 Avenue, west of the highway, will also be completed.

Alberta, Leduc and EIA each previously contributed $1.2 million for the design work in 2017, which is slated to wrap up before the end of 2019. Land acquisition and utility relocation will be necessary before construction on the 65 Avenue interchange can begin, according to the province.