Driving Growth and Prosperity

Local governments and organizations from across the region, including the County of Grande Prairie, are urging the Provincial Government to move forward with constructing the Highway 40X Connector. 

Highway 40X will be a vital addition to the region’s existing transportation network, connecting Highways 40 and 43.  

Map of proposed Highway 40X

This project supports significant economic development opportunities for the region and entire province. It provides critical access through increased transportation network efficiency and major improvements to traffic safety. 

The Grande Prairie Region plays an important role in the provincial economy by serving as a trade area for more than 280,000 people. Construction of the Highway 40X Connector will help propel the region forward to achieve its full potential. 

Prioritizing this project maximizes its benefits – including job creation – as we all work to build a more sustainable and resilient Alberta. 

The Benefits:

  • Critical Transportation Link - Highways 40 and 43 support significant existing industrial and commercial activity in the region while providing critical transportation links to other areas of Alberta and into British Columbia. Highway 43 is part of the CANAMEX/North-South Trade Corridor, linking Canada to Mexico through the United States.  

  • Economic Development - More than $16 billion in new private investment is expected in the region, serviced by the Highway 43 and Highway 40 network. Two unconnected major highways is a rarity in our province, and a potential barrier to investment attraction in the region. Connecting these highways will foster even greater economic development opportunities for our Province by creating improved, more efficient transportation infrastructure. 

  • Public safety - Increased high volumes of heavy truck traffic and congestion raise the probability of accidents and serious incidents. Every day, about 28,000 vehicles move through Grande Prairie, including 3,000 heavy trucks navigating residential areas, parks, school zones and pedestrian trails. The negative impact of industrial traffic on local populations will only escalate with increased industrial activity. 

The Ask:

Functional planning was completed in 2010, meaning the highway corridor is defined and the next steps of acquiring land and engineering design work could move forward immediately.  

We are asking the Province to fund the project and prioritize it in their capital plan to be completed as soon as possible.