In 1989, the Other Six Leases Operation (OSLO) proposed to construct a fully integrated 77,000 barrel per day surface mining and synthetic crude oil plant in northeastern Alberta. The plant will employ some 2,500 permanent staff. OSLO required an assessment of the advantages, disadvantages and impacts of using the existing roadway system compared with the practicality of construction of a new roadway from Ft. McMurray to the plant site, located on the east side of the Clearwater and Athabasca rivers. An overview of roadway options such as twinning Highway 63 to Suncor or Syncrude, was also undertaken. The study reviews the existing roadway system, identifies and quantifies existing and proposed industrial activity, determines OSLO's impacts on roadway transportation and existing users, reviews the practicality of constructing an "east side corridor", develops associated travel times and road user costs, and assembles orde of magnitude roadway construction costs for both corridors. (A)
Abstract