The Alberta government is increasing funding for Highway 63 repairs after weeks of public pressure over the condition of one of the province’s busiest highways.
Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen announced that $15 million will be directed specifically toward Highway 63 maintenance as part of a broader $22.4 million increase to Alberta’s highway maintenance budget. The additional funding represents nearly a 60% increase over last year’s budget and will support more patch paving and pothole repairs across the route.
The announcement comes just weeks after residents organized a volunteer effort to repair the highway themselves. On June 12, local businessman Mohamed Tarrabin and around 80 volunteers, many with construction experience, filled approximately 200 potholes along a two-kilometre section of Highway 63. The demonstration was carried out with traffic managed by the RCMP and drew significant attention to the road’s deteriorating condition.
Highway 63 is the main transportation link between Fort McMurray and Edmonton, making it a critical route for both residents and Alberta’s oil sands industry. Many drivers have said road conditions have steadily worsened, with potholes becoming a growing safety concern.
In announcing the new funding, Dreeshen acknowledged those concerns and thanked Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean and Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao for continuing to push for improvements.
He also said the province’s highway maintenance contractor will begin providing regular updates on scheduled work and completed repairs along Highway 63 to keep local communities informed.
Beyond pothole repairs, Alberta is also fast-tracking two major paving projects. One will resurface 48 kilometres of the southbound lanes near Wandering River, while another will pave 30 kilometres along Highways 63 and 881 in the Fort McMurray area.
According to the provincial government, the goal is to make Highway 63 safer and more reliable while ensuring the corridor continues to support both local communities and the province’s economy. The new investment will help accelerate maintenance work and improve travel conditions along one of Alberta’s most critical highways.
