Work is set to resume on the major overhaul of the QEII/Gaetz Avenue interchange at the south end of Red Deer.
Flatiron Constructors Canada announced late last week that starting on Monday, work would resume on the $100-million, multi-year project that will realign the key intersection.
This spring’s work includes building bridge abutments for Taylor Drive bridges, constructing the piers for the Gaetz Avenue bridge and constructing the new alignment of the highway between Gaetz Avenue and Taylor Drive.
Because of this construction, drivers can expect to see detours, as well as lane reductions during off-peak hours, on the highway throughout construction season.
Speed limits will be reduced as work will be ongoing day and night.
The new interchange is tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2018.
Once completed, the highway will have six lanes, three in each direction, from 32nd Street to Mackenzie road. The sharp northbound curve at the Gaetz Avenue overpass will be eliminated. The left hand merge onto Hwy 2 southbound will be replaced with a ramp that will separate the low speed local traffic to Gasoline Alley away from highway traffic.
The project was announced in 2016 as part of the $7-billion highway-related projects that were part of the provincial capital plan.
Close to 42,000 vehicles travel on QEII per day in both directions at the current interchange, according to Alberta Transportation.