A newly-announced road to Fort McMurray and Alberta's oil riches could be paved with gold for Saskatchewan residents.
Economic growth, educational and tourism opportunities are expected to become a reality once the rubber hits the road on the planned $45-million La Loche Road.
While both Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert announced the construction of the joint project - celebrating both provinces' centennials - some in Saskatchewan are rejoicing over the fact that the northern route they've waited for is finally about to be built.
"After 30 years of trying to get a road across (from La Loche, Sask., to Fort McMurray, Alta.), people are very excited," says Isadore Desjarlais, co-chair of Saskatchewan's Northwest Economic Development Council. "It will mean more economic growth."
Desjarlais believes that in addition to behind-the-scenes lobbying, it was a combination of factors all converging at once that helped accelerate the announcement: Centennial project spending, the high price of oil and trouble finding enough people to work in booming Fort McMurray.
Alberta will complete its share, a 65-kilometre gravel road from Highway 881 south of Anzac, near Fort McMurray, to the Saskatchewan border. It will include a major bridge crossing at the Christina River. The estimated cost of this leg is $40 million.
Saskatchewan will upgrade its existing road, Highway 956, from its border to the junction of Highway 155, south of La Loche, at a cost of approximately $5 million.
The entire road is expected to take three years to complete, with construction beginning as early as 2006.
Anything, local residents say, will be an improvement over what exists now. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which encompasses Fort McMurray, operates the Alberta leg of the road as a winter road only.
"Depending on the time of year - if it's winter it's great - but in summer if you send someone here (from northern Saskatchewan) for health services, they can't make it as it's quite long," says Wood Buffalo Mayor Melissa Blake.
With the winter road, it takes about two to 21/2 hours to reach Fort McMurray from La Loche. When the winter road is not in operation that same trip can take 10 to 12 hours, heading south from La Loche before being able to shift gears westward.
Just as importantly, Blake adds, "when you consider what it could do for Fort McMurray and our region, which is experiencing all that oilsands development, the opportunity for new employment from the Saskatchewan side is another really good benefit that road will bring."
For Desjarlais, who lives in Buffalo Narrows, south of La Loche, the new road means tourism opportunities for his and other northwest Saskatchewan communities.
But it also means training and job possibilities for area residents.
"We (already) have people working in Fort McMurray," says Desjarlais, referring to those employed in the trades and construction. He says he also foresees locals looking for work in other sectors in Fort McMurray, such as retail, once the new road is functional. "Alberta has been asking for all kinds of employees to come to Fort McMurray."
La Loche Mayor Georgina Jolibois also foresees endless opportunities as well as an improved quality of life for La Loche residents.
"Right now we have a number of people working in Fort McMurray in heavy equipment, construction and other fields but in the spring, summer and fall, transportation is a problem," says Jolibois.
Ten hours-plus on the road makes it impractical and too time consuming to come back home, she says, though that will change with the new road.
She also anticipates that Keyano College in Fort McMurray will see more students from her community - and they'll now also be able to come home on weekends.
The new road may also help unlock the tourism economy in northwest Saskatchewan, with its plentiful lakes, fishing and forests.
But the economic impact of the La Loche Road is not just limited to communities in northern Saskatchewan such as Buffalo Narrows or La Loche.
Benefits will also be flowing down to Saskatoon, among other Saskatchewan cities.
"I think there's going to be a positive impact in Saskatoon," says Ted Mitchell, CEO of the Saskatoon Regional Development Authority Inc. "Trades are already interacting between Saskatoon and Fort McMurray. There's business between our two communities and I believe it will only be enhanced by the new roadway."
Shirley Ryan, executive director of the North Saskatoon Business Association, agrees her city will benefit.
"It's a very positive step forward and it benefits both provinces," says Ryan.
Wood Buffalo's Blake points to a major forest fire years ago that shut down Highway 63 leading in and out of the city and hemmed in residents. This new road will allow an eastern escape route if needed, she adds.
But escape is about the last thing the involved parties have on their mind.
"I think this is indicative of Western Canada strengthening ties. We're seeing a lot more east-west travel as opposed to north-south," says Buckley Belanger, Saskatchewan's minister of northern affairs.
It could open up opportunities for Saskatchewan's oil and gas sector, he says, above and beyond supplying labour to Alberta's hot energy industry.
"It's obvious the oilsands are doing quite well and we want to help that effort," says Belanger.
(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)
