Period 2016 - 2025 - Crowsnest Highway

Period 2016 – 2025 for South-western Canada

2016
Completion of Saturday Creek Project. 8 km of Highway 3 widened and realigned west of Princeton, BC, improving safety and traffic flow with new passing lanes, sightlines, and barriers.
2016
Launch of ca and Unified Corridor Branding. Highway 3 Tourism Alliance introduces a modern crow emblem and digital campaigns to promote the corridor as a premier tourism route.
2017
Upper Cambie Bridge Replacement. A new four-lane bridge opens near Manning Park, enhancing flood resilience and access for cyclists and pedestrians.
2017
Canada 150 Celebrations. Museums and communities along the highway commemorate the sesquicentennial with exhibits highlighting the route’s national significance.
2017–2018
Sentinel to Pincher Station Functional Planning Study. Alberta advances detailed planning for twinning, considering environmental, heritage, and local access needs.
2018
Major Wildfire and Air Quality Events. Wildfires impact travel and air quality, prompting discussions on climate adaptation and emergency response.
2019
Completion of Jaffray Westbound Passing Lane Project. A 2.5 km passing lane with cyclist shoulders, wildlife tunnels, and fencing opens in BC to improve safety and traffic flow.
2019
Alberta Finalizes Eight-Phase Twinning Plan. Comprehensive functional planning establishes the framework for a $2B, 215 km twinning of Highway 3.
2019
Rock Scaling and Slope Stabilization East of Kootenay Pass. Major works reduce rockfall risk and improve safety on a high-altitude section.
2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Alters Traffic Patterns. Initial sharp decline in cross-provincial travel is followed by a surge in regional tourism and RV traffic as staycations boom.
2020
Alberta Announces First Phase of Twinning (Taber–Burdett). Provincial government commits to the first 46 km of twinning, setting the stage for construction.
2021
Atmospheric River Floods Sever BC Highways. Crowsnest Highway is the first to reopen after catastrophic landslides, temporarily serving as the only road link between Metro Vancouver and the rest of Canada.
2021
Installation of EV Charging Stations. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is expanded at key intervals along the corridor.
2021
Completion of Jaffray Wildlife Crossings. Wildlife tunnels and fencing are fully operational, reducing vehicle-animal collisions.
2022
Alberta Announces Full Twinning Initiative. Premier Danielle Smith unveils the largest highway expansion in the corridor’s history, with an eight-phase plan.
2022
Community Push for “Crowsnest Heritage Highway”. Heritage advocates propose a special designation for the westernmost 45 km in Alberta, seeking reduced speeds and scenic enhancements.
2023
Groundbreaking for Phase 1 Twinning (Taber–Burdett). Construction begins on the 46 km segment, with Ledcor Highways awarded the $179.7M contract.
2023
Reconnecting the Rockies Wildlife Project Launches. Underpasses, overpasses, and fencing are installed to support safe wildlife movement, especially near Sparwood and Elkford.
2023
Severe Wildfire Season Prompts New Investments. Extended closures and air quality advisories lead to further investment in EV charging and air quality monitoring.
2024
Second Phase of Wildlife Fencing. Two kilometers of new fencing installed on each side of Highway 3 east of Sparwood, enhancing ecological connectivity.
2024
Alberta Publishes Economic Corridor Strategy. The government highlights Highway 3’s role as a trade route linking the Prairies to the Port of Vancouver and the CANAMEX network.
2024
Night Construction and COVID-19 Protocols. Adaptive construction practices, including night work and health protocols, become standard for major projects.
2024
Community Debates Over Twinning Intensify. Public consultations and media coverage reflect deep divisions over the future of the corridor—between high-speed expansion and heritage preservation.
2025
Interactive History Kiosks Installed. Fifteen digital kiosks are placed at key sites, enhancing visitor engagement with the highway’s history.
2025
Ongoing Construction and Consultations. Phase 1 twinning progresses toward completion; engineering and public engagement continue for subsequent phases.