FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA. — The Government of Alberta has announced it is investing $311 million over three years in Budget 2025 to increase emergency route capacity for residents in northern Alberta.
The intent is to provide new and better options to escape dangerous situations, like wildfires, that require people to evacuate from their homes, a release reads.
“Wildfires underscore the need for more emergency egress routes. That’s why we are starting detailed design work to extend Highway 686 between Peerless Lake and Fort McMurray, creating a new emergency route for northern residents and a new east-west economic corridor in this resource-rich part of Alberta,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors, in a statement.
The new Highway 686 alignment will extend the highway by 218 kilometres, creating a new east-west highway link to connect northern Alberta communities and to support economic development across the region. Budget 2025 also includes funding over three years for engineering work for grade, base and paving of about 61.7 kilometres of the north-south segment of Highway 686 near Red Earth Creek and Peerless Lake in Peerless Trout First Nation, with additional funding over three years to pave more than 27 kilometres between Peerless Lake and Trout Lake.
“For years, our Nation has fought for better road access, knowing how critical it is for our safety, mobility and economic future,” stated Chief Gilbert Okemow of the Peerless Trout First Nation.
“The province’s enhanced funding for the Highway 686 corridor – especially for paving the road from Red Earth Creek all the way to Trout Lake – is a direct and positive response to our advocacy and our nation’s needs…These investments have the potential to transform lives in Peerless Trout First Nation, and as this spirit of collaboration continues and strengthens, even greater opportunities can unfold for our people.”
There are also a number of other highway projects underway or in the planning phase, including $101 million for twinning Highway 63, north of Fort McMurray, between Mildred Lake and the Peter Lougheed Bridge. Detailed design work on the new bridge continues, the release states, as well as consultations with local Indigenous communities.
Additionally, $141 million over three years would be invested in safety upgrades to Highway 881, from just south of Fort McMurray to Lac La Biche. The improvements include 14 new passing lanes, an oversize load staging area and several intersection upgrades. Construction is expected to take three to four years and be completed by fall 2028.
Lastly, $7 million over three years will be provided to plan an extension to Highway 956 from La Loche in Saskatchewan to Fort McMurray, providing an additional route to and from the Wood Buffalo region. Planning will start this year and is anticipated to be complete in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Design is expected to take about three years to complete.
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