UPDATE (June 11, 2026): This story has been updated with late-breaking information following a meeting between Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Mayor Sandy Bowman and Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen regarding Highway 63 and Highway 881 maintenance.
FORT McMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP say they are aware of a planned citizen-led road repair event on Highway 63 and are warning participants about potential safety risks and legal consequences.
The event, which has been promoted on social media, is expected to see volunteers gather Friday to repair potholes and other road hazards along sections of Highway 63 in Fort McMurray.
Police said being on an active highway creates significant risks for participants, motorists and other road users. While the RCMP acknowledged Canadians have a constitutionally protected right to protest, officers said public safety remains the priority.
The detachment said officers will monitor the event and take enforcement action if necessary to maintain public safety.
Police are reminding residents not to disrupt traffic, park on any portion of the highway, including shoulders and ditches, or interfere with public infrastructure.
Under Alberta’s Highways Development and Protection Act, Highway 63 is a provincial highway and falls under provincial authority. Section 3 of the Act states that “all provincial highways are subject to the direction, control and management of the Minister.”
The legislation also places responsibility for highway maintenance with the designated highway authority. Section 9 states: “Except where an agreement provides otherwise, a highway authority is responsible for the cost of construction and maintenance of all highways subject to its direction, control and management.”
The Act defines maintenance in Section 1 as “the preservation and repair of a highway and any other work necessary to keep the highway in serviceable condition.”
The legislation further makes it an offence to interfere with a highway. Section 51(1) states that a person who, “without justification or excuse,” either “obstructs or deposits any material on a highway” or “interferes with or damages a highway” is guilty of an offence.
The planned repair effort comes amid growing public frustration over deteriorating road conditions, potholes and roadway maintenance on Highway 63 and Highway 881.
In a new development Thursday, Mayor Sandy Bowman said he met with Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen and ministry officials to discuss concerns raised by residents and council regarding highway conditions, pothole repairs, roadway cleaning and line painting.
According to Bowman, Alberta Transportation has committed to accelerating maintenance activities, including pothole repairs, road repairs, highway cleaning and line painting. The province has also agreed to provide public updates every two weeks outlining planned maintenance work.
Bowman said the province has additionally agreed to explore a partnership with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo that could see the municipality assume responsibility for spring and summer maintenance along Highway 63 between the municipal landfill and the Highway 686 turnoff.
The proposed arrangement could include pothole repairs, roadway maintenance, cleaning, line painting and beautification efforts along the corridor.
Bowman said council has advocated for improvements to Highway 63 and Highway 881 for several years and described the province’s commitments as the result of ongoing discussions between municipal and provincial officials.
Police are encouraging anyone who observes unsafe behaviour related to Friday’s event to contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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