Province to pay for new access road to Brooks’ JBS Foods

The Alberta government will be paying for a new access road to the JBS Foods plant in Brooks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

The province says it will be improving safety and efficiency for thousands of southern Albertans when work is complete on a new access road to the JBS Foods meat processing plant in Brooks.

The government said Tuesday it has allocated $1.8 million for a new road between Highway 873 and the facility, which employs thousands of Brooks residents.

In addition to making it easier for trucks to get in and out, the government said it will also save time for employees.

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“This investment will create a better road connection between the JBS Foods Plant to Highway 873, making the commute shorter and safer and cutting up to an hour and half off the time it takes workers at the plant to get to and from work so they can spend less time stuck in traffic and more time doing other things,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

The new road will also reduce the possibility of collisions with large trucks, officials said.

“This access road will significantly improve the quality of life for our team members in Brooks in many ways, ranging from child-care to transportation costs to safety,” said Celio Fritche, president of JBS Foods Inc.

The design for the project, which will be delivered by Newell County, is already complete and construction is expected to begin this spring.

The road is expected to open by the fall.