Approximately 15,000 vehicles per day use Highway 1 in the area.

The new interchange replaces an at-grade intersection that had a relatively high collision rate. It eliminates risky manoeuvres such as crossing or turning left across multiple lanes of highway-speed traffic and larger vehicles jutting out onto Highway 1 from median crossovers.

The improved intersection and service roads also allow government to remove eight less-safe accesses and four median crossovers in the interchange’s vicinity.

On average, interchanges reduce overall collisions by 45 per cent and eliminate t-bone and head-on collisions at highway speeds that frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities.

“Interchanges significantly reduce the number and severity of collisions at highway intersections,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Transportation. “They also move traffic more efficiently, which contributes to Alberta’s strong economy.”

 “The new interchange enhances safety and is key to supporting the growth in our area,” said Rob Anderson, MLA for Airdrie-Chestermere. “I am very pleased to see this important project completed.”

The Alberta government will invest $1.9 billion for the construction and preservation of the province’s highway network in 2008-09.

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