The pending Alberta election comes with several major infrastructure promises for our region.

A new overpass has been promised for the Scotford intersection east of Fort Saskatchewan by both the UCP and NDP. Following the promise by the NDP, the UCP said it will spend $750,000 over the next three years to plan the project.

Improvements to Vinca Bridge are also back on the books. This had been started by the NDP, but cancelled after the UCP took government. Planning was resumed this year. The bridge needs to be rebuilt in order to carry heavy industrial loads for future projects in the area.

The NDP and UCP also promise to expand the incentive programs for more industrial development in our region. The NDP program resulted in the Inter Pipeline polypropylene project east of Fort Saskatchewan. Other projects were also considered thanks to this program, but did not appear after the UCP took power and made modifications to the program.

The NDP are also proposing $400 million in funding and a special act to speed up rural internet service permits and ensure access to right-of-ways, as well as a policy to ensure fibre internet lines are included as part of any road build.

Fort Saskatchewan got a new bridge and two new schools under the former NDP government. No new schools are planned or promised by the UCP.