06/11/2026
Mayor Bowman shares that after years of advocacy and ongoing discussions with the provincial government, Alberta Transportation has committed to accelerating maintenance activities, including pothole repairs, road repairs, highway cleaning, and line painting. The department has also committed to providing public updates every two weeks outlining planned maintenance work so residents can stay informed. Read the full post below for all details👇
Today I had the opportunity to meet with Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen and his team regarding the condition of Highway 63 and Highway 881 in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
I would like to thank the Minister for a productive discussion and for listening to the concerns that have been consistently raised by our residents and Council regarding highway conditions, pothole repairs, roadway cleaning, and line painting.
As a result of our discussions, Alberta Transportation has committed to accelerating maintenance activities, including pothole repairs, road repairs, highway cleaning, and line painting. The department has also committed to providing public updates every two weeks outlining planned maintenance work so residents can stay informed.
Perhaps the most exciting outcome was the Minister’s commitment to work with our Administration to explore a partnership that would allow the RMWB to take responsibility for spring and summer maintenance of Highway 63 from the Municipal Landfill to the Highway 686 turnoff. This could include road repairs, pothole maintenance, cleaning, line painting, and beautification of this important gateway corridor.
I would also like to acknowledge my Council colleagues, who have consistently advocated for improvements to Highway 63 and Highway 881. This has been a shared priority of Council for many years, and today’s commitments are the result of ongoing collaboration and advocacy on behalf of our residents.
We have also seen the determination and passion of our residents, and we look forward to achieving genuine results through these collective, collaborative efforts.
The entrance to Fort McMurray should reflect the pride we have in our community and the important role Wood Buffalo plays as an economic driver for Alberta and Canada. We look forward to continuing to work with the Province to improve the safety, appearance, and overall condition of these critical transportation corridors.