Ponoka marks completion of Highway 53 Improvement Project

PONOKA -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Ponoka to celebrate the completion of the Highway 53 Improvement Project.

The major project for the newly dubbed "Rodeo Drive" first broke ground in July 2025 and includes various upgrades between Highway 2A and 38 Street, particularly at the 46 Street intersection. This has included realignment work, paving, new lighting, and landscaping.

A press availability was held on June 26 as part of Stampede Dignitary Day to mark the completion of the project, and featured remarks from Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson along with Alberta's Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen.

"This is a great example of the provincial government and a municipal government working together," said Minister Dreeshen. "The engineers and construction workers who made this on time and on budget are just amazing, and I do think this will be an iconic fixture for people driving into Ponoka." 

With a budget of over $8.2 million, some of the other major improvements to this particular stretch of Highway 53 include paved multi-use trails along the north side of the highway between Highway 2A and 50 Street, stormwater infrastructure upgrades, and more.

"For all our citizens and visitors, you can walk, ride, or drive from one side of the town to the other, more safely than ever before," said Mayor Kevin Ferguson. "This new multi-faceted artery that runs through our town, also just happens to pass by the place that every year, they put on the greatest rodeo on earth -- the Ponoka Stampede."