65 Avenue and QEII Interchange officially complete

LEDUC -- Leduc's new QEII and 65 Avenue Interchange Project is officially complete.

Ground was broken on the multi-million-dollar project back in late 2022 and was funded in collaboration between the Alberta Government and City of Leduc. The goal of the project was to create more efficient connections between Leduc, the Edmonton International Airport, and key cargo hubs and local businesses in Nisku. The new overpass also offers an alternative emergency access route to the Alberta Health Services STARS Medivac Base in the event Airport Road is inaccessible.

The project was originally estimated to cost $112,000,000 when first approved, however, the final cost came in at $122,000,000. The addition $10,000,000 was from an unexpected amount of top-soil found on-site compared to the results from initial testing. In total, the province spent $105,000,000 on the project while the City of Leduc chipped in $17,000,000.

"This section of the QEII is one of Alberta’s most important trade corridors and a key connector to the Edmonton International Airport," said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. "The completion of this new interchange marks a major step forward in improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the efficient movement of goods and people."

The finished project includes a new overpass over the QEII highway adjacent to the existing 50 Street bridge, new southbound on/off ramps from the QEII highway and 65 Avenue, and relocation and improvements to existing ramps for northbound QEII. Intersection improvements at 65 Avenue and 50 Street in Leduc were also completed, along with Perimeter Road and 65 Avenue, west of the QEII highway, enabling the City of Leduc and the EIA to connect their internal roadway networks.

As of late October, residents have also been able to utilize two new roundabouts, three new or modified traffic signals, and seven kilometres of multi-use pathways. In total, the QEII and 65 Avenue Interchange Project created twenty-three lane-kilometres of new roadway.

"The 65 Avenue and QEII Interchange is a key connection serving our residents, businesses, and visitors for generations to come," said Lars Hansen, Mayor of Leduc. "The interchange strengthens our region's connectivity and mobility in Leduc, in Alberta, and by extension, the world. Projects on this scale don't happen alone – we are appreciative of everyone's contribution in making this interchange a reality."

According to the province, the new interchange is expected to deliver major time and cost savings for Alberta's transportation network. Almost 9,000 trucks travel this stretch of the QEII every day, and the project is anticipated to save about 1.8 million hours each year for commercial traffic travelling to and from the YEG, along with 6.8 million hours annually for northbound and southbound commercial vehicles on the QEII and Highway 2A. In total, these efficiencies are projected to result in an estimated $211.1 million in annual commercial truck freight cost savings.

"The 65th Avenue Interchange is a game-changer for Leduc and the region," said Leduc-Beaumont MLA Brandon Lunty. "It improves safety, supports local businesses, and strengthens our connection to the airport and beyond. Projects like this show our government's commitment to investing in infrastructure that drives growth and keeps Alberta moving forward."

The Leduc region is growing faster than many other parts of Alberta, with a population growth of 3.75 per cent year-over-year as of early 2025.