Photo Courtesy Canadian Press

By Tanner Smith

Northern Alberta Economic Corridor

Province announces northern Alberta “east-west” highway

Mar 4, 2025 | 3:22 PM

The Alberta Government made an announcement today (Tuesday, March 4) regarding “enhancing safety and economic growth in the north.”

A large piece to achieving that goal will be the much-discussed east-west highway, connecting Fort McMurray residents with the Peace region.

In the proposed Budget 2025, the province set aside $311 million over three years to see this project through, with the “detailed design work” phase already underway.

This new Highway 686 alignment, would then stretch across 218 kilometres, from Fort McMurray to Peerless Lake.

Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen explained during the announcement recent disasters played a part in the province’s decision, saying “wildfires underscore the need for more emergency routes.”

As part of this project, work would be done to a stretch of Highway 686 near Red Earth Creek, which would include improving the road surface for a potentially larger traffic load; The transportation of energy products, heavy equipment and goods.

Peerless Trout First Nation Chief Gilbert Okemow, said this road work on Highway 686 near Red Earth Creek will also be beneficial to indigenous people in the area.

Okemow says “for years, our Nation has fought for better road access, (the province’s announcement) is a direct and positive response to our advocacy and our Nation’s needs.”

A few other road projects in the east-northern parts of the province were also shared in this release, totalling $249 million in provincial funding.

Before these projects are all officially green-lit, budget 2025 will have to pass in legislature.