The Governments of Canada and Alberta have announced funding to improve road safety and travel efficiency on Highways 15 and 19.

The Canadian Government will contribute more than C$73m ($58m), while the Government of Alberta will contribute more than C$114m ($90m).

The Canadian Government will allocate its funding through its New Building Canada Fund – Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP).

The announcement was made during a ground-breaking event for the Highway 19 project.

Project works for the second phase of the Highway 19 project include expanding a 3.5km road stretch east of Highway 60 from two to four lanes, as well as upgrading an intersection and service road south of Edmonton.

The highway has been categorised as a priority transportation corridor linking Highway 60 to the west and Highway 2 to the east.

For this project, the Canadian Government will contribute C$27.7m ($22m) and the Government of Alberta will contribute C$51.3m ($40m).

Highway 15 is classified as a vital trade corridor linking Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan.

The Highway 15 project will involve twinning nearly 8km of the highway, building a bridge over the North Saskatchewan River and extending the bridge rail crossing.

For this project, the Canadian Government will contribute C$45.3m ($36m) and the Government of Alberta will contribute C$62.7m ($49.8m).

Alberta Minister of Transportation and Municipal Affairs Ric McIver said: “When it comes to getting Alberta’s goods to market, it’s all about the strength of the network.

“Twinning Highways 15 and 19 will make it safer and more efficient to move Alberta’s industrial products while creating jobs when they’re needed most.

“In this year’s Budget, we’re focused on fixing and upgrading Alberta’s highway network as we protect lives and livelihoods across our province.”

This month, the Canadian Government announced an investment of C$2.75bn ($2.1bn) over five years to electrify transport systems across the country.