The Provincial Transportation Department has stepped in so a study on twinning Highway 3 from Medicine Hat to the B.C. border can go ahead.

Transportation Minister Brian Mason says the cost-benefit study had hit a bit of a road block.

"The association had applied for another grant under the program but it didn't fit the criteria so it was turned down so I thought it was important that we still see the results of this study and so we've funded it from the Transportation department's budget," he says.

Mason says it's a matter of safety and commerce, making it easier to move goods between the two provinces.

"It's a very lovely route and I've taken it all the way from Medicine Hat into B.C. and travelled it in both directions a number of times, Mason says. "So first and foremost the concern is for safety, secondly we want to be able to move the traffic efficiently without delay and finally we want to promote the economic development of southern Alberta."

The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association had a study done in 2002 by the Van Horne Institute and this will update the figures in it..

The Transportation Minister says people need to bear in mind the province has limited financial resources and demands all over the province.