Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw has been appointed chair of the Northeast Alberta Alliance for Growth and Opportunity (NAAGO) Committee for Highway 28. The committee also has representation from neighbouring municipalities — Elisa Brosseau (Mayor, Town of Bonnyville) and Lorne Halisky (Deputy Reeve, Smoky Lake County).

The purpose of the committee is to continue to highlight the importance of recognizing Highway 28 as an economic corridor for northeast Alberta. From oil and gas to sports tourism, Highway 28 has an impact on every community it passes through. It is important that it is recognized as an economic corridor and, as such, receives the maintenance and, where necessary, expansion it needs to continue to be a viable route to boost and support local economies.

While areas of the highway have seen expansion and resurfacing projects, communities further north have not received the same levels of funding and attention.

“We are continuing our strong lobbying efforts with the goal of getting Highway 28 completed,” said Fadeyiw.

Lobbying activities were started in late 2024. There had been some momentum thanks to those efforts, but progress was halted to allow for the municipal elections held province wide in the fall of 2025.

The committee has an idea of what the completion of Highway 28 looks like.

“At minimum, it looks like passing lanes all the way and twinning the highway between Bonnyville and Cold Lake,” Fadeyiw said. “There is heavy industrial traffic — both in weight and volume. In order to grow and offer a safer highway for all to travel on, Highway 28 needs to see these improvements.”

Updates on the committee’s lobbying efforts will be provided as they become available.