The new patch of road north of Wandering River is part of the provincial government's recently released commitment - and detailed timelines - to twin 240 kilometres of the highway from Fort McMurray to Atmore over the next four years.
Although the vast majority of the road is not in the Lac La Biche County jurisdiction, it is an important corridor in the region.
“The people travelling this highway are our friends and neighbours,” said Broadbent-Ludwig, who attended the opening. “We are cognizant of the safety concerns attached to Hwy. 63 and feel announcements like today’ s are a great step forward for the Province and those who use the highway.”
Broadbent-Ludwig and Brideau took a tour of the new road which features wider right-hand shoulders on the northbound lanes to accommodate wider loads and new passing lanes on other sections of the highway that will allow traffic to safely pass that will be twinned in the future.
According to the Province, Hwy. 63 will be completely twinned by 2016. A map on the Alberta Transportation website shows in detail the plans for each section of the road and a specific timeline. The map also shows the 2006 work completed on the 265-kilometre section of Hwy. 881 from Lac La Biche to Fort McMurray.
Area MLA Shayne Saskiw, the Wildrose Justice critic whose riding runs adjacent to Highway 63, applauded the government for its actions.
“Twinning Highway 63 is not just a northern Alberta issue-its safety and effectiveness is of utmost importance because of the provincial, national and global impact and significance of the region it serves," he said in a Wildrose press release this afternoon.
Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver says the total project will cost about 1.1 billion dollars. At the road unveiling today, the minister said the project is a commitment his government stands firmly behind.
“We’ re just keeping a promise,” McIver said. “The premier made it clear during the election we would do this.”
A government -backed report was completed in June - two months after Premier Alison Redford was elected - which contained 22 recommendations for the stretch of road, including twinning, speed restrictions, more enforcement, passing lanes, road widening.
Yesterday, Saskiw and Wildrose Transportation critic Drew Barnes presented their report, called 'Getting It Done' to McIver.
Saskiw sees the province's announcement and their timeline details coming in part as a result of his party's efforts.
“Only after several tragedies and public pressure from local stakeholders and Wildrose did the government finally commit to a firm twinning timeline,” Saskiw said.
SInce 2006 more than 120 people have been killed in collisions on the 240-kilometre stretch of highway from Atmore to Fort McMurray.
