City projects drive growth and economic development

Monday, May 30, 2022


Recent progress has been made by the City of Leduc on key growth and economic development projects. 

65th Avenue Interchange
On May 12, 2022, the Province of Alberta announced funding support for the 65th Avenue Interchange project, critical infrastructure supporting safety, ease of movement and future economic development in Leduc, at Edmonton International Airport and across the region. This contribution, coupled with the City’s $12.5 million, means the project is fully funded and will be moving forward as a major construction project – with shovels in the ground – in our community this summer.  

65 Avenue Map

Key components of the interchange project (virtual fly over): 

  • A new overpass over the QEII 
  • New on-off ramps and improvements to some existing ramps 
  • Intersection improvements at 65th Avenue and 50th Street in Leduc 
  • Completion of Airport Perimeter Road, 65th Avenue and Grant MacEwan Blvd, west of the QEII, to better connect the City of Leduc and Edmonton International Airport 
  • Full multi-way connectivity along all new roadways that will be used for several types of activity (e.g., walking, running, biking). 

Driving growth and economic development in Leduc: 

  • The interchange will be located alongside Edmonton International Airport, and major road and rail networks, supporting transportation and ease of goods provincially, nationally and internationally.
  • Benefits of the infrastructure will attract new businesses/industry to the area and create increasingly diverse job opportunities. 
  • The project will support 274 direct and 197 indirect full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase.   
  • The project will support $23 million direct and $27 million indirect GDP during the construction phase. 
  • The additional commercial and industrial lands, which will be opened west of the QEII from completion of the interchange, are projected to generate $600 million in investment growth in Alberta, including 4,000 new construction jobs and 4,300 permanent, multi-sector jobs.

Learn more about the 65th Avenue Interchange. 

Restriction eased on Edmonton Airport Vicinity Protection Area (AVPA) Regulations
On May 17, 2022, the Province made changes to the Edmonton AVPA Regulation, meaning new opportunities for significant growth and redevelopment in the City of Leduc are now possible. The City has worked tirelessly, alongside many stakeholders and regional partners, to advocate for these changes. This collaborative work has included Edmonton International Airport, the Province of Alberta, industry leaders, neighbouring municipalities, residents, businesses and City staff. 

Key changes to the Regulation: 

  • New Noise Exposure Forecast (NEF) contours have been calculated to reflect updated assumptions based on advancing aviation technology and modern-day airport operations. 
  • Many restrictions on commercial and industrial development in Leduc have been removed.  
  • Restrictions on residential development have been relaxed in many areas of the city. 

Driving growth and economic development in Leduc: 

  • The industrial and commercial areas in the city are now much less restricted so new businesses  will be allowed to open and existing businesses expand in some areas where it was not permitted before.  
  • There are now more opportunities for residential infill and densification in the city’s downtown, and new residential projects in undeveloped areas. 
  • Some homeowners in mature neighbourhoods will be able to redevelop their property. For example, adding secondary suites and garden suites may now be a possibility in areas where they were not permitted before, which the City hopes will support aging in place. 

Moving forward, the City is ready to now take on responsibility for making the changes to support the residential, commercial and industrial growth which the Province has allowed. The City will need to update a range of planning documents, including the Municipal Development Plan, the Land Use Bylaw and numerous Area Structure Plans to align with the new amendments. 

Learn more about what this means for the City of Leduc. 

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