Sask. wants to finish a long-planned road to Fort McMurray. Alberta's not as sure about it
The Saskatchewan government says it will finish a nine-kilometre stretch of road on its side of the border in hopes of making an all-weather road between La Loche and Fort McMurray a reality.
"An all-weather road between these two northern communities will give employers access to a valuable workforce in northern Saskatchewan while providing gainful employment and economic development opportunities for the people and communities of this region," Premier Scott Moe said in a news release.
In a letter, Moe is asking Alberta premier Jason Kenney to do the same.
The road was first announced in 2005 to mark both provinces' centennials.
Forty-four kilometres of the 53-kilometre road required on Saskatchewan's side were completed in 2008, according to the province.
Alberta has never broken ground on its side.
In a statement to CTV News, the Alberta government said it "completed some preliminary work after the initial announcement."
The government said it's examining Moe's proposal.
However, it's also exploring "other egress routes" such as Highway 686 and the East Clearwater Highway.
"Alberta and Saskatchewan are strong partners in economic growth," the statement said.
The Saskatchewan government said "pre-construction" work will start this year, and its aiming to complete the road in 2023.
--With reporting from Jonathan Charlton
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.