Feds kick in to help twin Highway 63

The federal government announced Tuesday it will contribute $150 million to help twin a146-kilometre stretch of highway between Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

Highway 63has seena growing number of fatal crashes as traffic hasincreased with the development of the oilsands.

The federalcontribution willadd to $530 million in provincial funds announced earlier this year. The two levels of government will split the $320 milliontab totwin the route from Highway 55 to north of Mariana Lake. Alberta willpay about $360 millionto upgrade Highway 63the rest of the way to Fort McMurray.

The project will make the highway safer and benefit the community,Lawrence Cannon, the federal transport minister saidin Fort McMurray.

"It will contribute to the economic growth of the region by facilitating transport to Fort McMurray,by creating jobs in the construction sector and by making it easier and safer for tourists and Albertans alike to travel in this region," he said.

The upgrade to Highway 63 includes a wide median between lanes of traffic, upgraded intersections and paved shoulders to handle oversized loads.

No timeline has been given for completion of the project but work hasstarted in some areasnorth ofHighway 881.

Oilsands development has addedintense pressure to infrastructure needs around Fort McMurray.