Highway 11 twinning and several other major West Country infrastructure projects are proposed in Alberta’s 2026 budget.

While details on funding commitments and anticipated start dates were limited in the province’s 2026 Provincial Construction Program, the Highway 11 project is listed as a major trade corridor project.

Project A of the twinning would add another lane south of the existing lane running from the Rocky Mountain House townsite to near Cowboy Trail.

Project B would extend the lane further east to connect with the existing four-lane section near Benalto.

The province had projected a 2026 construction start date for future phases of the project.

Other West Country projects include concept designs to replace the Chambers Creek Bridge on Highway 11, located about 30 kilometres west of Rocky Mountain House.

Concept designs are also proposed for the replacement of the Shunda Creek Bridge on Highway 11 near Nordegg, along with a culvert replacement at nearby Jackfish Creek.

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Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen says the government will spend $8.3 billion over three years under its capital plan.

“Our capital plan is focused on building for growth and maintaining what matters,” Dreeshen said in a statement. “We are making significant transportation infrastructure investments across Alberta to reduce commute times while also improving safety.”

“We are planning for the future by making strategic investments, maintaining and extending the life of our 64,000-kilometre road and 4,900-bridge network.”

According to a budget highlight package, $2.7 billion is earmarked for provincial highways, bridges, and road improvements over the next three years.

Other central Alberta projects include:

• Selective paving between the Town of Sylvan Lake and a point two kilometres north in Red Deer County, including six kilometres of repaving.

• Selective paving between Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 2A near Sylvan Lake and Red Deer.

• Design work for roundabout and intersection improvements at Hwy. 27, Hwy. 22 and Hwy. 584 near Sundre.

• Planning and engineering for a Hwy. 2 six-laning project at Red Deer, from 32 Street to Hwy. 11A.

• Design work for bridge rehabilitation at the Hwy. 2 overpass at Hwy. 12, three kilometres west of Lacombe.

• Design work for road reconstruction and realignment associated with the CPR overpass on Hwy. 2, three kilometres southeast of Lacombe.

• Gull Lake pumping station and pipeline upgrades at the Blindman River near Town of Bentley and Gull Lake.