Redford to fast-track Highway 63 twinning

Premier Alison Redford is looking at fast-tracking upgrades to Highway 63 between Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

Seven people died in a head-on crash last week.

Redford said she will instruct her next transportation minister to speed up plans to twin the highway.

"I have asked our department to take a look at what an accelerated schedule would look like," she said.

The current plan is to twin at least 50 per cent of the highway within three years, said Redford.

"We need to act faster on that and I will be asking our transportation minister after cabinet is sworn in to make that a priority."

Her comments appear to contradict deputy premier Doug Horner, who said earlier this week the province won't move the schedule ahead.

There have been more than 1,000 crashes on the highway in the past decade, resulting in 25 deaths.