Should a Toll Bridge Replace the La Crete Ferry on Highway 697?

Official title: Financing Highway 697 project engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Finance & Consumer Transportation
Alberta asked residents whether they'd support a toll to fund a new $200 million bridge over the Peace River near La Crete. The bridge would replace an aging ferry and winter ice road that are closed 30% of the year. This consultation ran in December 2020 and is now closed.

Why This Matters

Live in northern Alberta? This bridge could cut hours off your travel time. Right now, the ferry crossing means waits of up to 3 hours during busy periods. A year-round bridge would keep goods moving and make the region more attractive for jobs and investment.

What Could Change

Bill 43 already passed in December 2020, allowing Alberta to charge tolls on new infrastructure. Planning and design work has begun on the bridge. If built, drivers would pay a toll to cross—the first such fee in Alberta.

Key Issues

  • Should road user fees (tolls) be used to finance the new bridge?
  • What are the potential impacts and opportunities of introducing tolls?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Albertans submitted feedback by email from December 1 to 23, 2020.

What Happened

Feedback was gathered from Albertans via email submissions from December 1-23, 2020. The government stated they are reviewing the feedback to help inform implementation of a toll for the new bridge. Bill 43 (Financing Alberta's Strategic Transportation Act) received royal assent on December 9, 2020, and planning and design work has begun.

Key Documents