Highways are to be upgraded

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Widening of Highway 2 and construction of an access road to the future hospital site in Slave Lake are included in a tender announced by Alberta Transportation and Utilities Minister Al "Boomer" Adair and Slave Lake MLA Pearl Calahasen.

The work, scheduled for completion this fall, will include paving of 21.9 kilometers on Highway 88 near Utikuma Lake. Highway 2 will be widened to provide for a safe flow of traffic at the new vehicle inspection station east of the junction of Highway 88.

"The Highway 88 final paving is part of the government of Alberta's program to provide a surfaced highway from Slave Lake north to Red Earth. This will be a benefit to the citizens of several northern communities, as well as the resource-related traffic in the area," said Adair.

Calahasen said she was "pleased part of this contract includes an arrangement with the town of Slave Lake to build a road to the future hospital site. This combined effort with Albert transportation and utilities is cost-effective and ensures local priorities can be met while serving the broad interests of travelers throughout the province."