In October of 2020, the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association’s (H3TDA) message to the Government of Alberta was to fund any one (or more) of H3TDA’s 2021 Priorities in stages or as a whole.

Those priorities were Medicine Hat to Seven Persons, including Airport runway realignment (26kms), Pincher Station to Bellevue (36kms), Piikani Nation Functional Planning Study and Fort MacLeod Stage 1A (Shovel Ready).

The Government of Alberta recently communicated to the Piikani Nation they would like to engage in consultation for the Terms of Reference for the twinning study for the area of Highway 3 that go through the reserve.

The H3TDA also believes that funding for that area of the highway will be provided once the Terms of Reference proceed.

The H3TDA is very pleased to hear that the Government of Alberta is moving forward with one of their top four listed priorities.

The H3TDA is appreciative of any progress made towards the twinning of Highway 3 and recognizes the decision to fund this study comes at a time when cost to borrow is low, cost of Engineering is competitive and stimulus for job creation is high.

In a press release the H3TDA states they thank the province for recognizing the importance of this area.

“We thank the Province for recognizing the significance of having this final Functional Planning Study completed and creating a collaborative relationship with Piikani Nation regarding the potential twinning of Highway 3 through their lands. Let’s keep the momentum going to provide predictable annual funding towards completion of the entire corridor!”

Mayor of Pincher Creek and Highway 3 Twinning Development Association Director, Don Anderberg, says this study is massively important, as it will complete a major section of highway 3 needing to be twinned.

“The engagement by the Province of Alberta to facilitate a functional planning study for the twinning of Highway 3 through Piikani Nation is exciting news for Southwest Alberta. This study will complete the major planning of Highway 3 twinning from Medicine Hat to the Crowsnest Pass. Having a complete functional plan in place will enable moving ahead with construction of twinned highway to address many safety and logistical concerns that residents and travellers in Southwest Alberta deal with on a day to day basis.”

Mayor of Fort Macleod and Highway 3 Twinning Development Association Director, Brent Feyter, says the work on this study will be difficult but he is confident the end result will be positive for everyone.

“A Functional Planning Study would be a great step to ensuring all involved are heard, information gathered and agreement reached on the best design for the twinning of Highway 3 on Treaty 7 Piikani Lands. Highway development studies are hard to do but I am confident this planning will have positive benefits for the Piikani

Nation and our entire region.”

The H3TDA states in their release the importance of completing this project sooner than later.

“Highway 3 is a CRITICAL pipeline for moving an increasing number of commodities to processors and the conduit for transporting the final products to market. As such, the twinning of Highway 3 will champion jobs and support the expanding economy of Southern Alberta, and the province, at a critical time in our province’s history.”

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