Alberta economic corridors


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.
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.

East–west corridors

Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) Corridor

The Trans-Canada Highway in southern Alberta that runs between the British Columbia and Saskatchewan boundaries, passing through Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Banff National Park. The corridor is approximately 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 mainline. Highway 1 provides access to international markets through the Ports of Vancouver and Montreal.

Highway 3 (Crowsnest) Corridor

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

Highway 16 (Yellowhead) Corridor

The Yellowhead Highway in central Alberta that runs between the British Columbia and Saskatchewan boundaries, passing through Edmonton, Lloydminster, and Jasper National Park. The corridor is approximately 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 and Prince Rupert. 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)

Highway 9, along with Saskatchewan Highway 7, connects Calgary with Saskatoon via Drumheller. Beginning at Highway 1 east of Calgary near Langdon, the corridor is approximately long and is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. 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)

Highway 11, also known as the "David Thompson Highway", connects Red Deer with the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park via Rocky Mountain House. The corridor is approximately 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 and the Province of British Columbia, and would require their support.

Highway 28 (Edmonton to Cold Lake)

Highway 28 connects Edmonton with Cold Lake, including the Cold Lake oil sands, and includes a section of Highway 55 between Cold Lake and the Saskatchewan border. The corridor is approximately is designated as a Feeder Route of the National Highway System.

Northern Trade Corridor

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 to Peerless Lake, and Highway 956 from Highway 881 to the Saskatchewan border.
Highway 58 from High Level to Rainbow Lake is approximately and is designated as a Northern Feeder Route of the National Highway System. 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 and runs from Highway 35, north of Grimshaw and northwest of Peace River, to Highway 88 near Red Earth Creek. Highway 686 is approximately and runs from Highway 88 at Red Earth Creek to Peerless Lake; however there is a proposed extension to Fort McMurray. When completed, the two routes would link Fort McMurray to the Peace River region.
Highway 956 is approximately and is conceptual route that runs from Highway 881, south of Anzac and 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.

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

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 and is not part of the National Highway System. The Northern Woods and Water Route consists of:

CANAMEX Corridor

The CANAMEX Corridor is a trilateral trade corridor that connects Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Within Alberta, the CANAMEX Corridor is approximately long and the entire length of the is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System. 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. It also passes by both the Calgary and Edmonton International Airports.

Northeast Alberta Trade Corridor (Highway 63 to Fort McMurray)

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 long is designated as a Core Route of the National Highway System south of Fort McMurray, and includes the Canadian National Railway rail line. 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.

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

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. The corridor is not part of the National Highway System.
Highway 36, also known as Veterans Memorial Highway, is approximately and begins at Highway 4 near Warner, approximately north of the Coutts–Sweetgrass border crossing, past Taber, Brooks and Vegreville, to Lac La Biche. The corridor then follows a section of Highway 881 from Lac La Biche to Highway 63, about south of Fort McMurray. There have been proposals to renumber the section of Highway 881 north of Lac La Biche to become part of Highway 36.
Highway 41, also known as Buffalo Trail, is approximately 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 north of Bonnyville or west of Cold Lake. The Wild Horse Border Crossing closed at 5:00 pm in the winter and 9:00 pm during the summer, 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.

Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail)

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, Rocky Mountain House, and Drayton Valley, before ending at Highway 18 just north of Mayerthorpe. The corridor is approximately and is not part the National Highway System.
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.