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Change is coming to Highway 621. Last week the province announced design funding for a project aimed to widen the roadway along a 30 kilometre stretch between Highway 22 and Cynthia.
Reeve Bart Guyon welcomed the news and said the project had been a priority for Brazeau County for some time.
“This will make the road safer and more accessible for industry. Brazeau County and Alberta move on wheels, so we are grateful to have this project go ahead. It will be very well-received by our residents, businesses, and industries,” he said.
MLA Andrew Boitchenko echoed that sentiment.
“As MLA, I heard loud and clear from constituents that safety and infrastructure improvements were urgently needed. Today, I’m proud to stand with the Government of Alberta and Brazeau County to announce that we’re getting it done—delivering on our commitment to make this vital corridor safer, more efficient, and better equipped to support local industries and communities.”
Once complete, the upgraded highway will be able to accommodate a 7.32-metre-wide load passing a 2.6- metre-wide regulated commercial truck. Highway 621 carries about 1,300 vehicles per day, with 8.5 per cent truck traffic, or about 87 trucks daily.
The widening of the roadway will make travel in the area easier and safer for vehicles carrying oversize and overweight loads according to a media release from the County. Highway 621 is part of Brazeau County’s Western Economic Corridor, and is the only route in the region that accommodates over-dimensional traffic to areas such as Whitecourt, Grande Prairie and Peace River.
“Upgrading Highway 621 is about more than just paving a road – it’s about building a more efficient transportation network that connects Alberta’s industries to markets while keeping our economy competitive,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “This investment will help ensure that heavy loads and critical goods can move safely and reliably for years to come.”
The County says the current width of Highway 621 ranges from 8.3 metres to 8.6 metres. Ideally, highways that carry oversize or overweight loads should be at least 10 metres wide.
Last week’s announcement is an important step, however, it will be some time before the project is completed. The initial stage will see a consultant carrying out planning, engineering and design work to allow for grade widening. That part of the project is expected to take between two and three years to complete.
