Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, says he will be joining local delegates on a trip to Ottawa Friday to ensure Alberta gets it’s fair share of funding ahead of the federal budget April 16.

Dreeshen says there’s one project in particular the delegation will be lobbying for.

“I’ll be travelling with members of the O’Chiese First Nation and the reeve of Clearwater County to do another full-court press on the O’Chiese Road,” says Dreeshen. “It’s a major route for the O’Chiese First Nation. Obviously saw a lot of activity last year during the wildfires.”

Dreeshen notes, the province and the county have committed funding, but is hoping the federal government will now step up.

“Clearwater County and the Province of Alberta have both committed $8 million to build up the O’Chiese Road. But the 25 kilometers within the First Nation requires federal approval to do that and also funding within the First Nation.”

Dreeshen also adds, that he hopes to see federal support for a road project that will extend Highway 11 further west.

“You look at the Howse Pass and the $150,000 grant that we gave to Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP). The Howse Pass would essentially connect Highway 11 in B.C.,” says Dreeshen. “If this program gets renewed and there’s more funding dollars and Alberta gets something rather than nothing, that would be a perfect central Alberta project.”

Dreeshen also hopes to see an increase in funding for the National Trade Corridor Fund which improves airports, ports, railways, transportation facilities, and access roads across the country.