Transportation

Transportation System

The County of Vermilion River is well served with a network of quality transportation systems. The transportation infrastructure in the County is a major factor in supporting the primary industries in the region including the oil and gas industry, related oil and gas service industries, and the County’s varied agriculture operations. The County’s integrated highway, rail and air systems allow for efficient delivery and transport of goods and people throughout the communities in the County of Vermilion River.

The area is also serviced by several trucking, bus and courier service companies.

Road System

• East/West - Highway 16 (Yellowhead), 45 & 619
• North/South - Highways 41, 893, 897 & 17

The main east-west highway traversing central Alberta, Provincial Highway 16, travels directly through the County of Vermilion River. The highway is designated as a core route in Canada’s National Highway System and forms the Yellowhead branch of the Trans-Canada Highway. Highway 45 connects several communities in the County and to the two dominant north-south routes, Highway 41 and Highway 897. These two routes provide connection into the industrial developments of northeastern Alberta as well as tourism destinations both in northeastern Alberta and northwestern Saskatchewan. Highways 893 and 17 also connect the region from north to south, intersecting Highways 45, 16 and 619. Highway 14, in the southeast corner of the County, connects to the heavy rail network to the west through Wainwright.

Rail System

• Canadian National Railway

CN’s northern secondary mainline travels east-west through the County to the south, along Highway 16 and connecting Saskatoon and Edmonton. The Town of Vermilion is a terminal point for CN and contributes to the success of agricultural shipping from this area. Spur trackage is available as well as CN lease land for industrial and commercial entities. There are several spur lines available including ones at Lloydminster, Kitscoty and Vermilion. There is a long siding at the Hamlet of Blackfoot to allow for trains passing.

Air Service

• Vermilion Airport – two asphalt runways: 3300’ x 75’ (1029m x 22m) and 2200’ x 75’ (695m x 22m)
• Lloydminster Airport – two runways: 5,579’ x 150’ (1,700 x 46 m) asphalt and 1,500 x 100 ft (457 x 30 m) unpaved grass

The County is located approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton International Airport, which is the primary air passenger and air cargo facility in the Edmonton region and is a major hub facility for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada.