May 7, 2008

Transportation Infrastructure

Suncor Energy plans to fund and build Fort McMurray interchange

Richard Gilbert

staff writer

Suncor Energy and the Alberta government have signed an agreement for the construction and maintenance of an interchange that will improve traffic flow and safety near Fort McMurray.

Suncor Energy announced on April 15 that it has agreed to pay for and construct a $55 million interchange to be built about 25 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

The new highway infrastructure is expected to provide benefits for all users of Highway 63 north of Fort McMurray, including employees and tradespeople working at Suncor’s existing and planned operations, as well as community residents and workers at industry sites farther north

“The new interchange will improve safety for motorists and reduce congestion on Highway 63,” said Kirk Bailey, Suncor’s executive vice president. “But we’re not in the infrastructure business, so it makes sense to have the province own and maintain the interchange.”

Construction on the project is underway and is expected to be completed by December 2008.

The province will assume ownership of the interchange once it passes all quality assurance inspections.

Suncor initiated plans for the interchange as a means to improve highway safety during the construction and operation of the company’s new upgrader, which is part of a planned $20.6 billion oil sands project expansion.

The freeway-style interchange will replace the current ground-level intersection. When complete, it’s expected to allow traffic to maintain speed on the highway, reducing travel times through this busy area, while on and off-ramp access improves safety at the intersection.

When complete, the interchange will also link Suncor’s base plant on the east side of Highway 63 to the new upgrader, as well as other planned developments, on the west side that may occur in the future.

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