Transportation

Preparing for future growth in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland is important. This includes planning and setting policies about our roads, rails and pipelines (also referred to as linear infrastructure).

As part of phase two of the overall Eco-Industrial Master Plan for the region, a Transportation Analysis and Needs Study began in late 2009. The study was undertaken as a proactive move to anticipate and alleviate traffic congestion in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland resulting from future developments.

A contract was established with ISL Engineering to study traffic flow patterns and make recommendations regarding upgrades to infrastructure and alternatives to single vehicle traffic. The study utilized scenarios reflecting high, medium, and low industrial growth potential. A traffic flow analysis then determined where traffic congestion would occur. This identified bottle necks in the transportation infrastructure and provided recommendations for improvements. The study also examined alternatives to single car traffic, especially during construction peaks at operations where staffing can exceed 5,000 people.
The final report and recommendations were released in September 2011, which incorporated feedback from two public open houses held in Fort Saskatchewan and Partridge Hill Hall in Strathcona County. Key recommendations include bussing construction workers from predetermined park and ride locations to industrial facilities. Additional recommendations focus on infrastructure improvements to specific highways and intersections in and around the Heartland region. The study’s recommendations will compliment other initiatives to form an important part of the overall transportation plan for the region in conjunction with work being done through the Capital Region Board.
Other planning tools under development including a linear infrastructure corridor plan and traffic flow models also contribute to traffic management and improvements to transportation systems. 

Additional Resources

• A map of the current major road network in AIH, as of December 2008
• Alberta Industrial Heartland’s Linear Infrastructure Report (July 2007)
• Alberta Industrial Heartland’s map of pipelines and utilities (July 2007)
• Alberta Industrial Heartland’s map of transportation routes (July 2007)

 Initiatives and progress in 2011

• A Transportation Study for the region was completed and approved mid- 2011 (view media release and background). AIHA is working with the province and Capital Region Board to enhance transportation planning for the region.

To obtain further information on a variety of topics relating to traffic, please contact: