Alberta economic corridors

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Alberta Economic Corridors
System information
Maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors
Length7,100 km (4,400 mi)
Highway names
Provincial HighwaysAlberta Highway XX
System links

    The Alberta economic corridors are priority economic corridors defined by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors. These corridors are designed to link Alberta with other jurisdictions and include transportation, energy, power, telecommunications and other utilities. [1]

    Contents

    In addition to the National Highway System, Alberta's economic corridors include a series of transport corridors that are part of the provincial highway network, as well a High Load Corridor Network to transport oversized loads. [1]

    East–west corridors

    Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) Corridor

    Alberta Highway 1.svg
    Highway 1
    Trans-Canada Highway
    Location British Columbia–Saskatchewan borders
    Length534 km [2]  (332 mi)

    The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) in southern Alberta that runs between the British Columbia and Saskatchewan, passing through Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Banff National Park. The corridor is approximately 534 kilometres (332 mi) long and includes Highway 1 and portions of Highway 201 around Calgary, both designated as Core Routes of the National Highway System, as well as the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) mainline. Highway 1 provides access to international markets through the Ports of Vancouver and Montreal. [2]

    Highway 3 (Crowsnest) Corridor

    Alberta Highway 3.svg
    Highway 3
    Crowsnest Highway
    Location British Columbia border–
    Medicine Hat
    Length324 km [3]  (201 mi)

    The Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) in southern Alberta that runs between the British Columbia and Medicine Hat, linking to Saskatchewan via Highway 1, and passes through Lethbridge. The corridor is approximately 324 kilometres (201 mi) long and includes Highway 3, designated a Core Route of the National Highway System, as well as and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) mainline. Highway 3 provides access to international markets through the Port of Vancouver, and also links to the Eastport–Kingsgate Border Crossing (via British Columbia Highway 95 southwest of Cranbrook), which provides access to the Pacific Northwest. [3]

    Highway 16 (Yellowhead) Corridor

    Alberta Highway 16.svg
    Highway 16
    Yellowhead Highway
    Trans-Canada Highway
    Location British Columbia–Saskatchewan borders
    Length634 km [4]  (394 mi)

    The Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) in central Alberta that runs between the British Columbia and Saskatchewan, passing through Edmonton, Lloydminster, and Jasper National Park. The corridor is approximately 634 kilometres (394 mi) long and includes Highway 16 designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System and part of the Trans-Canada Highway network, as well as the Canadian National Railway mainline. Highway 16 provides access to international markets through the Ports of Vancouver (via British Columbia Highway 5, also part of the Yellowhead Highway) and Prince Rupert. [4] It also links to Central and Eastern Canada via the Trans-Canada Highway, either via Saskatchewan Highway 11 or at its eastern terminus west of Winnipeg.

    Highway 9 (Calgary to Saskatchewan)

    Alberta Highway 9.svg
    Highway 9
    Location Calgary–Saskatchewan border
    Length324 km [5]  (201 mi)

    Highway 9, along with Saskatchewan Highway 7, connects Calgary to Saskatoon via Drumheller. Beginning at Highway 1 east of Calgary near Langdon, the corridor is approximately 324 kilometres (201 mi) long and is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. [5] While not officially listed as part of the Highway 9 corridor, Highway 72 serves as an alternate access route to Calgary, linking with Highway 2 north of the city near Crossfield.

    Highway 11 (Red Deer to Saskatchewan River Crossing)

    Alberta Highway 11.svg
    Highway 11
    Location Saskatchewan River Crossing–
    Red Deer
    Length254 km [6]  (158 mi)

    Highway 11, also known as the David Thompson Highway, connects Red Deer to the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park via Rocky Mountain House. The corridor is approximately 254 kilometres (158 mi) and is not part the National Highway System. Part of the corridor includes a proposed extension to the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden, British Columbia through Howse Pass; however, the conceptual route would be under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada (being located in Banff National Park) and the Province of British Columbia, and would require their support. [6]

    Highway 28 (Edmonton to Cold Lake)

    Alberta Highway 28.svg
    Highway 28
    Location Edmonton–Cold Lake
    Length285 km [7]  (177 mi)

    Highway 28 connects Edmonton to Cold Lake, including the Cold Lake oil sands, and includes a 14-kilometre (9 mi) section of Highway 55 between Cold Lake and the Saskatchewan border. The corridor is approximately 285 kilometres (177 mi) is designated as a Feeder Route of the National Highway System. [7]

    Northern Trade Corridor

    Alberta Highway 58.svg Alberta Highway 686.svg Alberta Highway 956.svg Alberta Highway 986.svg
    Northern Trade Corridor
    Location Rainbow Lake–High Level
    Mackenzie Highway–Saskatchewan border
    Length817 km [8]  (508 mi)

    Northern Trade Corridor is a discontiguous east–west economic corridor that runs across Northern Alberta and consists of Highway 58 from High Level to Rainbow Lake, Highways 986 and 686 from the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 35) to Peerless Lake, and Highway 956 from Highway 881 to the Saskatchewan border. [8]

    Highway 58 from High Level to Rainbow Lake is approximately 285 kilometres (177 mi) and is designated as a Northern Feeder Route of the National Highway System. [8] There is also conceptual western extension to the British Columbia border; however, the there is no connecting all-weather highway in British Columbia and would require a new highway connecting to Fort Nelson and the Alaska Highway.

    Highway 986 is approximately 158 kilometres (98 mi) and runs from Highway 35, 20 km (10 mi) north of Grimshaw and 36 km (20 mi) northwest of Peace River, to Highway 88 near Red Earth Creek. Highway 686 is approximately 91 kilometres (57 mi) and runs from Highway 88 at Red Earth Creek to Peerless Lake; however there is a proposed 218-kilometre (135 mi) extension to Fort McMurray. When completed, the two routes would link Fort McMurray to the Peace River region. [8]

    Highway 956 is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) and is conceptual route that runs from Highway 881, 25 km (20 mi) south of Anzac and 75 km (50 mi) south of Fort McMurray, to the Saskatchewan border and connecting with Saskatchewan Highway 956. When completed it would link Fort McMurray to La Loche, Saskatchewan. [8]

    Northern Woods and Water Route (Highways 2, 49, and 55)

    Alberta Highway 2.svg Alberta Highway 49.svg Alberta Highway 55.svg
    Northern Woods and Water Route
    Highways 2, 49, and 55
    Location British Columbia–Saskatchewan borders
    Length853 km (530 mi)

    Not officially recognized as an economic corridor, the Northern Woods and Water Route in northern Alberta is notable as it runs between the British Columbia and Saskatchewan borders, and is one of only three routes in Alberta that connects to both provinces with the others being the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead Highways. The route is approximately 853 kilometres (530 mi) [9] and is not part of the National Highway System. The Northern Woods and Water Route consists of:

    North–south corridors

    CANAMEX Corridor

    Alberta Highway 2.svg Alberta Highway 3.svg Alberta Highway 4.svg Alberta Highway 16.svg Alberta Highway 43.svg
    CANAMEX Corridor
    Location United States–British Columbia border
    Length1,164 km [10]  (723 mi)

    The CANAMEX Corridor is a trilateral trade corridor that connects Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Within Alberta, the CANAMEX Corridor is approximately 1,164 kilometres (723 mi) long and the entire length of the is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. [10] The CANAMEX Corridor consists of:

    The CANAMEX Corridor also includes Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail line, which runs from the Coutts–Sweetgrass border crossing, through Lethbridge, Calgary, and Red Deer, to Edmonton. [10] It also passes by both the Calgary and Edmonton International Airports.

    Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor (Highway 63 to Fort McMurray)

    Alberta Highway 63.svg Alberta Highway 15.svg Alberta Highway 28.svg Alberta Highway 28A.svg
    Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor
    Highway 63
    Location Edmonton–Fort McMurray
    Length424 km [11]  (263 mi)

    The Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor connects Edmonton to the Fort McMurray region, including the Athabasca oil sands, and includes Highway 63, as well as portions of Highway 15, Highway 28A, and Highway 28, which connect Edmonton to Highway 63. The corridor is approximately 424 kilometres (263 mi) long is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System south of Fort McMurray, and includes the Canadian National Railway rail line. [11] A notable omission is that there is no reference of any winter road upgrades to all-season highway north of Fort McMurray, connecting to Fort Chipewyan, Wood Buffalo National Park, and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, despite lobbying efforts from local indigenous communities. [12]

    Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (Highways 36, 41, and 881)

    Alberta Highway 36.svg Alberta Highway 41.svg Alberta Highway 881.svg
    Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor
    Highways 36, 41, and 881
    Location United States border–
    Cold Lake/Fort McMurray
    Length950 km [13]  (590 mi)

    The Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor is located in eastern Alberta and consists of parallel routes connecting Canada–U.S. border to the Fort McMurray and Cold Lake regions. The corridor consists of Highway 36 from Warner to Lac La Biche, Highway 881 from La La Biche to Highway 63. Concurrently, it also consists of Highway 41 from the Wild Horse Border Crossing to La Corey. The Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor is promoted as the most direct route linking the oil sands with Texas and Mexico, and works in association with the North American Ports-to-Plains Alliance. [14] The corridor is not part of the National Highway System. [13]

    Highway 36, also known as Veterans Memorial Highway, is approximately 626 kilometres (389 mi) and begins at Highway 4 near Warner, approximately 38 kilometres (24 mi) north of the Coutts–Sweetgrass border crossing, past Taber, Brooks and Vegreville, to Lac La Biche. The corridor then follows a 264-kilometre (164 mi) section of Highway 881 from Lac La Biche to Highway 63, about 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Fort McMurray. [13] There have been proposals to renumber the section of Highway 881 north of Lac La Biche to become part of Highway 36. [15]

    Highway 41, also known as Buffalo Trail, is approximately 686 kilometres (426 mi) and begins at the Wild Horse Border Crossing, where it continues as Montana Highway 232 to Havre and connects with U.S. Route 87, past Medicine Hat, Wainwright, and Bonnyville, to Highway 55 near La Corey, approximately 18 kilometres (10 mi) north of Bonnyville or 37 kilometres (20 mi) west of Cold Lake. [13] The Wild Horse Border Crossing closed at 5:00 pm in the winter and 9:00 pm during the summer, [16] unlike the Coutts–Sweetgrass border crossing which is open 24 hours. In 2023, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte wrote a joint letter their respective federal governments to upgrade the boarder crossing to 24 hours. [13] [17]

    Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail)

    Alberta Highway 22.svg
    Highway 22
    Cowboy Trail
    Location Lundbreck–Mayerthorpe
    Length584 km [18]  (363 mi)

    Highway 22, also known as the Cowboy Trail, is located in western Alberta. It begins at Highway 3 near Lundbreck, passes through the western edge of the Calgary Region (bypassing the City of Calgary), Rocky Mountain House, and Drayton Valley, before ending at Highway 18 just north of Mayerthorpe. The corridor is approximately 584 kilometres (363 mi) and is not part the National Highway System. [18]

    The Cowboy Trail continues along Highway 6 and Highway 5 between Pincher Creek and Cardston through Waterton Lakes National Park; however, this section is not included as part of the Economic Corridor. [18] [19]

    Arctic Corridor (Highway 35 and Highway 58 East)

    Alberta Highway 2.svg Alberta Highway 35.svg Alberta Highway 49.svg Alberta Highway 58.svg
    Arctic Corridor
    (Mackenzie Highway)
    Location Valleyview–NWT border
    High Level–Wood Buffalo National Park
    Length623 km [20]  (387 mi)

    The Arctic Corridor connects Valleyview (and Edmonton via the CANAMEX Highway/Highway 43) to the Northwest Territories, where it continues as Northwest Territories Highway 1. It includes Highway 35, also known as the Mackenzie Highway, as well as portions of Highway 2 and Highway 49 between Valleyview and Grimshaw via Peace River. The corridor is approximately 623 kilometres (387 mi) long is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System; it also includes the Canadian National Railway rail line that runs between Peace River and Hay River, Northwest Territories. [20]

    The Arctic Corridor also includes a 194-kilometre (121 mi) spur from High Level to the Wood Buffalo National Park boundary via Highway 58; the section of highway is designated as Northern Feeder Route of the National Highway System. There is conceptual route through Wood Buffalo National that would connect Highway 58 to Fort Chipewyan and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. [20]

    Ring roads

    Both Calgary and Edmonton both have ring roads that encircle the respective cities. The ring roads are constructed to a freeway standard and function as both east–west and north–south trade corridors. There are also sections of the ring roads that are included as part specific corridors.

    Calgary Ring Road

    Alberta Highway 201.svg
    Highway 201
    Stoney Trail
    Tsuut'ina Trail
    Location Calgary
    Length101 km [21]  (63 mi)

    The Calgary Ring Road, designated as Highway 201 and known as both Stoney Trail and Tsuut'ina Trail for the section passing through the Tsuu T'ina reserve, is 101 kilometres (63 mi) long is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. [21] The northern section is included as part of the Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) Corridor, despite not being signed as part of the Trans-Canada Highway, as a freeway alternative to 16 Avenue N (Highway 1) through Calgary, [2] where the majority is an arterial road with numerous traffic signals. The eastern section is also included as part the CANAMEX Corridor as an alternative to Deerfoot Trail (Highway 2) through Calgary; [10] both routes are freeways.

    Edmonton Ring Road

    Alberta Highway 216.svg
    Highway 216
    Anthony Henday Drive
    Location Edmonton
    Length78 km [22]  (48 mi)

    The Edmonton Ring Road, designated as Highway 216 and known as Anthony Henday Drive, is 78 kilometres (48 mi) long is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. [22] The northern section is included as part of the Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) Corridor as an alternative to Yellowhead Trail (Highway 16) through Edmonton. [4] The southwestern section is also included as part the CANAMEX Corridor through Edmonton; Highway 2 follows Gateway Boulevard and Whitemud Drive through southwestern Edmonton, but is not included as part of the CANAMEX Corridor. [10]

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 "Economic corridors". Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
    2. 1 2 3 "Highway 1 Trans-Canada: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    3. 1 2 "Highway 3 Crowsnest Corridor: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    4. 1 2 3 "Highway 16 Yellowhead: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    5. 1 2 "Highway 9 (Calgary to Saskatchewan): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    6. 1 2 "Highway 11 (Red Deer to Saskatchewan River Crossing): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    7. 1 2 "Highway 28 (Edmonton to Cold Lake): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Northern Trade Corridor: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    9. ↑ "Northern Woods & Water Highway". December 23, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
    10. 1 2 3 4 5 "CANAMEX Corridor: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    11. 1 2 "Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor: Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    12. ↑ Amato, Angela (October 22, 2024). "First Nation calls for all-season road amid rising winter temperatures". CTV News . CTV Television Network . Retrieved July 15, 2025.
    13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (Highways 36, 41 and 881): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    14. ↑ "The EATC – Alberta Trade Corridor". Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC). Retrieved May 13, 2024.
    15. ↑ McKinley, Rob (March 1, 2023). "Highway 36 meeting could bring back 881 expansion discussions". Lakeland Today. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
    16. ↑ "Directory of CBSA Offices and Services – Wild Horse". Canada Border Services Agency. May 17, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
    17. ↑ von Scheel, Elise (November 15, 2023). "Alberta, Montana ask feds for extended hours at border crossing". CBC News . Retrieved July 16, 2025.
    18. 1 2 3 "Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    19. ↑ "The Cowboy Trail". The Cowboy Trail. The Cowboy Trail Tourism Association. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
    20. 1 2 3 "Arctic Corridor (Highway 35 and Highway 58 East): Economic Corridors Fact Sheet Summary" (PDF). Transportation and Economic Corridors. Government of Alberta. August 30, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
    21. 1 2 "Calgary Ring Road". Government of Alberta. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
    22. 1 2 "Edmonton Ring Road". Government of Alberta. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
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