Transportation

Central Alberta offers easy access to major markets enabling you to compete on a regional and global stage.

The region’s transportation infrastructure is capable of 24-hour delivery of service to all of Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Getting Your
Product to Market

Located in the heart of Alberta and Western Canada, we have access to an immediate trade area of 310,000 people and a distribution capability to over 2.5 million people within a two-hour drive. From Central Alberta, you’ll have access to markets of over 15 million people in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Central Alberta is located along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway corridor, a four-lane divided commercial highway, which connects the major urban centres of Edmonton and Calgary, and over 80% of Alberta’s population. Well-maintained infrastructure in central Alberta offers access for the flow of goods and people both north-to-south and east-to-west, reduce transport costs, and provides effective and diverse transport options.

Sector Success

The transportation sector posted impressive average real GDP growth of 4.6% per year from 2000 to 2007, outpacing the growth of the broader Alberta economy by almost a full percent. This may be partly attributed to Alberta’s competitive pro-business climate and low tax rates – rates for diesel fuel are the lowest in Canada.

Transportation & Warehousing

  • There were 601 transportation and warehousing companies in Central Alberta in 2012.
  • 587 companies employ 50 or less people, that are often entrepreneurial, small family businesses.
  • The sector contributes $10.2 billion annually to Alberta’s economy and employs more than 98,000 people across the province.

Trucking

  • Accounts for 60% of all freight movement in Alberta.
  • Approximately 95% of all truck exports are destined for Canada’s largest trading partner, the United States.
  • Accounts for $7 billion of Alberta’s international exports.
  • Quick access to the TransCanada highway, which link Canada port-to-port from Vancouver to Halifax, can be reached via the QEII in a matter of minutes from Central Alberta’s southern municipalities.

Rail

  • Two national rail services provide central Alberta with transcontinental freight service, with two inter-modal facilities in Calgary and Edmonton.
  • Rail volumes for all commodities in Alberta is approximately 60 million tonnes annually.
  • Accounts for approximately $18 billion of Alberta’s export values.

Airports

Central Alberta’s over 300,000 people are served by the Red Deer Airport. Over the past three years, this regional airport has achieved significant growth. In 2016, the airport completed a 2000 foot extension of their primary runway and some additional rehabilitation and extension work. This new investment has allowed the airport to land larger aircraft and can now actively pursue a broader range of passenger and commercial services to improve passenger experience and options. The runway expansion has also helped to support the expansion and growth of aviation business and industry in the region which will, in turn, create more jobs for Central Albertans.

Red Deer Airport is proudly served by Air Canada which provides scheduled passenger service 3 times per day from Red Deer Airport connecting through Calgary to 191 worldwide destinations.

In 2014, Red Deer Airport increased revenues by 34%, created 20 new jobs, and increased passenger counts by 717% from 2011’s count.

Edmonton and Calgary’s international airports, which are both located within minutes of the Central Alberta region, account for an economic impact of $4.75 billion annually, and ship goods valued at more than $3.6 billion.

Future Expansion

As the service centre for all of Central Alberta, retail, wholesale and distribution industries continue to expand to meet demands. The provincial government has proposed ambitious long-term capital plans, with spending of $6 billion per year targeted at provincial infrastructure. In addition, Alberta’s pipeline infrastructure is about to undergo a substantial expansion, which would increase access to lucrative key markets in Asia Pacific.

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Access Prosperity
100 College Blvd.,
Box 5005 Red Deer, Alberta,
Canada T4N 5H5
+1.403.356.4935
info@accessprosperity.ca
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