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TRANSPORTATION: Government to build $800 million North Edmonton Ring Road as a P3 project

            (AlbertaIndex, July 26, Thursday) --- The Alberta government said it will soon begin construction of the North Edmonton Ring Road from Yellowhead Trail on the west side of Edmonton to the Manning Drive Freeway using a made-in-Alberta public-private partnership (P3) model. 

            The 21-km north leg of the ring road will be free-flow with no signal lights and includes eight interchanges and five flyovers, for a total of 27 bridge structures.
           
“This latest addition to the Edmonton ring road will complete almost 90 per cent of Anthony Henday Drive, significantly improving transportation in and around Edmonton,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “When completed, Edmonton’s ring road will provide a hub for Alberta’s transportation network.”
            Based on the success of the Edmonton southeast and Calgary northeast P3 projects, government will follow the same process for the next leg of Anthony Henday Drive. Using the P3 process, the road will be constructed at a fixed price, finished two years earlier than through conventional delivery, and include a 30-year warranty.
            “The success of the Edmonton southeast and Calgary northeast projects have proven that public-private partnerships work - ring roads can be built quickly, safely and at a cost savings for Albertans,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “I have tremendous confidence in our P3 process as the best approach for delivering this project.”
            The government is also moving ahead with final planning on the remaining nine-kilometre section linking Manning Drive to Yellowhead Trail on the east side of Edmonton. This phase of the project will include a new bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.
            “Finishing the North Edmonton Ring Road is critical for Edmonton’s transportation system and I’m pleased the province is moving forward on this next section,” said Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel.
            The final contract is expected to be awarded by mid 2008, with construction beginning as early as fall 2008 and completed by fall 2011. To ensure a fair, competitive bidding process, government will not release cost estimates until after the contract is awarded. The government estimate will be sealed and provided to Alberta Justice.
            It will be opened at the same time as the P3 bids. To date, government has committed more than $800 million toward the southeast and southwest sections of Anthony Henday Drive.


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