Major bridge rehabilitation slated to begin this summer

LACOMBE -- A major bridge rehabilitation project is slated to get underway this summer near Lacombe.

Alberta's Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors says the project will include the full rehabilitation of the QE II interchange bridges located over Highway 12, just west of the City of Lacombe. This work is set to get underway in the coming weeks and continue on until the start of winter. The project will then resume next spring and be fully completed by late 2027, according to the province. 

"The project includes girder strengthening, deck joint replacement, a new bridge deck overlay, concrete repairs, approach slab paving, and upgrading the existing guardrails," said the province in a statement. "The completed work will extend the lives of these important structures."

Residents traveling through the area during the bridge rehabilitation may experience speed reductions, lane closures, and delays. There will be two 3.7 metre lanes of traffic with reduced shoulder widths and reduced speeds in each direction on Highway 2 throughout the summer and fall of both 2026 and 2027.

The province notes that there is a significant amount of work required underneath the bridges as well, so traffic on Highway 12 will also be affected. In addition, the pedestrian crossings over and under the bridges will be closed for the duration of the project.

Work on site is expected to generally take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily, although there will be occasional periods of night work for selected activities. During this time, additional signage, delineation, and illumination will be in place to help guide travelers in the area.