[CanadianCentaur]

It's about freaking time!!

The current bypass isn't functioning like one anymore now - Bad traffic during rush hour, too many intersections with lights, etc. It was built in the late 1960s, when GP was only a little smaller than or about the same size as Dawson Creek, or just under 12,000 people!

August 29, 2007
Construction starts on long-awaited Grande Prairie bypass

Grande Prairie... Work has begun on the Grande Prairie bypass with the start of construction on the new two lane Highway 43 bridge over Highway 2 at a cost of $5.2 million.

“The Grande Prairie bypass is officially underway and when completed will significantly reduce traffic congestion and increase safety for motorists,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. “The first phase of the project includes the new overpass and first few kilometers of the bypass, immediately reducing the amount of industrial traffic heading through the heart of Grande Prairie.”

Construction of the overpass will be completed by October 2008 and open to traffic following the completion of the railway overpass and three kilometres of roadway connecting the new overpass structure with 116 Street (Range Road 63). Land acquisition for the Highway 43 bypass right-of-way is underway and construction timelines on the roadwork will be set after the land has been purchased.

“The Grande Prairie bypass will greatly improve traffic flow, easing congestion within city centre and facilitating transport throughout northwestern Alberta,” said Mel Knight, Minister of Energy and MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky.

Design work is underway for the remainder of the bypass from 116 street west and south to the existing Highway 43.

“Grande Prairie has seen tremendous growth in the past decade and the new bypass will help reduce many of the traffic problems in the city,” said Gordon Graydon, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti.

As part of the initial bypass work, the Government of Alberta is also finalizing an agreement with CN Railway to construct a new bridge over the railway track east of the Highway 43 and Highway 2 interchange.

New highway construction is one of the actions under Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to manage growth pressures. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans’ quality of life, build a stronger Alberta, and provide safe and secure communities.