Quick Facts - Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Land Exchange Agreement
As part of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Land Exchange Agreement, the Government of Alberta will transfer land currently owned by the province in Saline Creek and Parsons Creek, valued at approximately $131.8 million, to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) for re-sale and development. The RMWB will, in turn, provide transportation infrastructure and ongoing maintenance to portions of Highway 69 and additional improvements on Highway 63 within the city.
The RMWB will receive:
- Approximately 453 acres of land (402 acres on the Saline Creek Plateau and 51 acres in Parsons Creek) for the purpose of re-sale.
- Ownership of portions of Highway 69 and the responsibility for its ongoing maintenance.
The 402 acres in Saline Creek is undeveloped future residential land with capacity to support new residential capacity, including lands to be designated for future school and park sites.
A 51 acre commercial site in Parsons Creek is estimated to support greater than 400,000 square feet of new industrial space.
It's estimated that when fully developed Saline Creek and Parsons Creek could provide housing for 44,000 residents.
The regional municipality will assume responsibility for:
- Highway 69 twinning west of Saline Creek to Range Road 85;
- Highway 63 intersection improvements at Highway 69 and McKenzie Boulevard;
- New Airport Road intersection on Highway 69;
- Highway 63 bus on shoulder accommodation (including queue jumping traffic signals) from Highway 69 to Hospital Street Interchange;
- Highway 63 six-laning from Hospital Street interchange to south of Athabasca River;
- Highway 63 and Thickwood Boulevard interchange bus lane; and
- The cost of shoulder improvements on Highways 63 and 686.
