The Yellowhead Trail is getting a sizeable upgrade starting in 2021.

The project is estimated to cost $1 billion; with the government of Canada and Alberta are each contributing $241,600,000. The city is responsible for the rest of the costs.

The 25-kilometre corridor sees about 81,000 vehicles per day, according to the provincial government – 20 per cent of which are transport trucks.

The redevelopment will turn the Yellowhead from an expressway into a freeway without traffic lights to create faster travel, and accelerate the transportation of goods to other local, national and international markets.

 “Upgrading the Yellowhead to a free-flow, freeway standard will help create good-paying design and construction jobs,” Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Brian Mason said. “When the work is done, it will increase efficiency and mobility. It will also reduce congestion, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance trade and maximize the province’s export capacity to global markets.”

 

Construction is expected to begin by 2021 and it will take 10 years.

For now, the city will work on planning the project’s design.