The Government of Alberta in Canada has signed a $78m contract with Petrowest Construction, the construction division of energy services and infrastructure firm Petrowest, to build the final stretch in the twinning of Highway 43 between Valleyview and Grande Prairie.

The new contract with Petrowest will build the final 20km of the 432km-long four-lane stretch of Highway 43 from Grande Prairie to the junction of Highway 16 west of Edmonton.

The contract, which is part of a partnership arrangement between the Alberta Government and the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, is scheduled to be completed in the 2014.

This partnership also includes development of new highway lanes, two pedestrian underpasses, bridges and culverts over Goose Creek and Pelican Creek through the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, west of Valleyview.

The development of new highway lanes is expected to commence in February 2013 with completion expected next autumn.

"The development of new highway lanes is expected to commence in February 2013 with completion expected next autumn."

Alberta Minister of Transportation Ric McIver said that the project, when completed, will provide northwest Alberta with a fully twinned, safe and efficient roadway to move people and goods.

"Partnering with the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Petrowest Construction LP on this project provides good value for the money, builds economic opportunities for First Nation members during and after construction, and delivers on a promise to residents of north-western Alberta to complete this twinning work," McIver added.

Petrowest is a Canada-based company involved in pre-drilling and post-completion energy services, as well as industrial and civil infrastructure projects, gravel crushing and hauling for non-energy sector customers.

Its primary operations are based in the Grande Prairie area of northern Alberta and in north-eastern British Columbia.