65 Avenue Interchange Project nearing completion

LEDUC -- A major road infrastructure project in Leduc is expected to be completed soon.

In a statement to the One newsroom, Alberta's Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors says that work on Leduc's 65 Avenue Interchange Project is on schedule, with construction anticipated to be completed by the end of October. The multi-million-dollar project officially got underway in late 2022 and aims to create better connections to the Edmonton International Airport.

The project consists of a new overpass over the QEII highway adjacent to the 50 Street bridge, new on/off ramps from the QEII highway, ramp and intersection improvements, and completion of Perimeter Road and 65 Avenue. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says he's happy to see the project being completed on schedule.

"It's been good to see progress being made on it," said Dreeshen. "Obviously, the importance of that project is to unlock so many opportunities for the Edmonton International Airport."

Prior to its approval, the interchange was estimated to cost about $96,000,000, with a little more than $5,000,000 spent on engineering, design, and some land acquisition, split between Alberta's government, the City of Leduc, and EIA. The construction contribution for the remaining $91,000,000 saw the province pay $78,500,000 while Leduc chipped in $12,500,000. Minister Dreeshen expects the project to have a major impact locally.

"So many opportunities for the Edmonton International Airport," said Dreeshen. "To have more trucking routes, whether it's the trucking industries that are built in-and-around the airport, so obviously it will have huge impacts for the region."

Over the past several weeks, Dreeshen says that work has been ongoing east and west of the QEII and north of the new bridge. This phase of the project is expected to be wrapped up by mid-September, while the project is expected to be fully completed by the end of October.

About 49,700 vehicles travel this stretch of the QEII Highway every day.