Highway 3 Twinning Project is ‘actively underway’

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tenille Miller, director of advancement for the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association, states that the Highway 3 Twinning Project is ‘actively underway.’

The Taber to Burdett section, Miller explained, is currently under construction with a 46 km stretch of highway, which includes the Grassy Lake bypass, bridges, intersections and other highway improvements, is expected to be completed this fall after entering pre-construction in 2023 and construction in 2024. 

“For Taber–Burdett, the remaining work includes paving, signage, guardrails, intersections and finishing the various bridges and other infrastructure,” said Miller. “The Taber–Burdett project has an approved cost of approximately $179.7 million.”

Of course, Miller noted, such construction does create challenges, but those are temporary.

“People are dealing with construction zones, changing traffic patterns, delays and changes to access,” said Miller. “There are also impacts for farmers, landowners and businesses along the corridor. But those are temporary impacts. Once completed, the M.D. of Taber will have a much safer and more efficient major transportation route running through the region. Overall, the response has been very positive. There has been strong support from municipalities, businesses, agriculture, trucking, industry and communities throughout the corridor. We are also seeing a very large and growing presence of industry within the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association. That is a strong indication of how important this highway is to the businesses that rely on it.”

The next section to receive attention, Miller also explained, will be the Whitla to Medicine Hat section, which received $152 million in Budget 2026 for planning, design and advancing the project.

Ultimately, Miller stated, the long-term goal is to twin Highway 3 from Medicine Hat all the way to the B.C. border, but the project is being done in stages rather than all at once.

The Government of Alberta, through Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors, is responsible for the project, Miller says. Ledcor, Miller said, is specifically the contractor for the Taber–Burdett section, while municipalities, landowners, businesses, agricultural producers, industry and other stakeholders have also been and will be involved in consultations throughout the planning and construction process.

“Highway 3 twinning has grown out of years of government planning and regional advocacy,” explained Miller. “Municipalities, businesses, industry and organizations like the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association have been advocating for improvements for many years. The main reasons are safety, increasing traffic volumes, economic growth and the importance of Highway 3 as a major east-west transportation route. There is very strong support for the project. Municipalities understand the importance of Highway 3 to their communities, and industry is increasingly recognizing that this is not just a transportation project — it is an economic development project. The growing number of industry members supporting the Highway 3 Twinning Development Association is a great indication of that.”

The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association, Miller noted, wants to recognize and express gratitude to the provincial government for the strong support and significant investment towards the Highway 3 Twinning Project, but they also believe that the federal government also has an important role to play in the project as well.

“Highway 3 is much more than a provincial highway,” stated Miller. “It is an important east-west trade route connecting communities, businesses and industries across Western Canada, and it also provides an important route for emergency response and the movement of essential goods. With the size and importance of this project, we believe there is a strong case for federal investment to help complete the corridor. The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association is also seeing a very large and growing presence of industry members, which demonstrates the importance of this route to the businesses that rely on it every day. The long-term goal is to twin Highway 3 from the Medicine Hat area all the way to the B.C. Border. We want to maintain the momentum that has been created. The Taber–Burdett construction, the new funding for Whitla–Medicine Hat and the growing support from municipalities and industry are all important steps. We are very thankful for the strong support being shown by the Government of Alberta, and we will continue to work with government, municipalities, industry and other stakeholders to move the project forward. We also believe the federal government needs to be part of the long-term solution. Highway 3 is an important route for trade, agriculture, industry, tourism and emergency response across Western Canada. Given its broader national importance, we believe there is a strong case for federal funding and participation. The goal is to keep moving forward, one section at a time, until we have a fully twinned Highway 3 corridor and we want all levels of government and industry working together to make that happen.”