Each day, millions of Canadians travel highways, unaware of the complex infrastructure behind the scenes that keeps those roads safe, functional, and efficient. In Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, much of that responsibility falls to Highline—a company known not only for its deep expertise in electrical infrastructure but also for pushing the boundaries of innovation in civil construction.
Founded in 1978, Highline began as a collaborative venture between Al and Don Hanson, who owned Highline Electrical, and Martin Bond of Minuteman Electrical. When the two companies merged, they formed Highline Minuteman Electrical. That partnership laid the foundation for a company that would go on to become a significant force in the Western Canadian infrastructure landscape.
In 2006, the company underwent a rebrand and emerged as Highline Electrical Constructors Ltd., signaling a shift toward commercial electrical installations and design-build services. With Bond’s engineering expertise, the company broadened its capabilities and embraced more complex, technically demanding projects.
Over the years, Highline expanded its physical presence and operational reach. A Calgary office was established in the early 1990s, followed by a branch in Sylvan Lake to better serve central Alberta. The company even opened an office in Utah in the early 2000s, a move that illustrated its willingness to explore new markets. By 2021, Highline had caught the attention of the Java Group, which acquired the company and ushered in a new era of growth.
Today, Highline operates as a multi-service electrical contractor, with a strong focus on street lighting and traffic signal infrastructure. Its work spans municipal lighting, highway maintenance, and civil construction projects, while also supporting clients with electrical maintenance services and small-scale commercial and industrial work.
According to Shawn Hutton, General Manager at Highline, the company’s strategy has evolved over time. “The commercial aspect and electrical focus has been shifted into more of a service and small job mindset,” he explained. “The roadway installations are now our primary focus and target.”
That focus has positioned Highline at the heart of some of Western Canada’s most impactful infrastructure developments. Among them is the Anthony Henday Drive project in Edmonton—a landmark initiative that took eight years to complete. Highline was responsible for the installation of technical lighting across the entire ring road, a task that involved erecting 135-foot street light poles fitted with energy-efficient LED fixtures, and laying several kilometers of underground cabling.
“That was one of those projects where a lot of apprentices started,” said Hutton. “They turned into journeymen—it was a great learning experience for a lot of people at Highline.”
Innovation is central to Highline’s identity. Jamie Carr, Project Manager, emphasized the company’s proactive approach to challenging work. “We like to go after those unique projects that maybe would scare other contractors away,” Carr said. “We like to engage in unique and challenging projects when they’re a good fit for us.”
“We like to go after those unique projects that maybe would scare other contractors away. We like to engage in unique and challenging projects when they’re a good fit for us.”
A standout example of this mindset was the creation of a design-build train signaling system in a small town. The system features a flashing blue light that alerts drivers when a train is approaching or passing through, giving them a chance to change routes in real-time.
Another major innovation was the implementation of Western Canada’s first Dutch-style intersection in Canmore. Designed to separate vehicle traffic from cyclists and pedestrians, the intersection improves both safety and traffic flow. As part of this initiative, Highline installed the area’s first ATCC cabinet, which provides advanced traffic control capabilities.
The company’s commitment to safety and efficiency extends well beyond individual intersections. In towns like Chestermere, Banff, and Cochrane, Highline has developed traffic signal systems that allow for remote access, automated emergency call-outs, and real-time monitoring. These systems not only improve operational efficiency but also offer municipalities the flexibility to respond quickly to evolving conditions.
“We completed an extensive traffic signal coordination plan for Cochrane last year,” Carr noted. “It significantly improved traffic efficiency throughout the town.”
Highline has also delivered on high-profile infrastructure builds. One of the most visually impressive is the Bow River Bridge expansion in northwest Calgary. The bridge spans the Bow River, and what makes it especially unique is its internal cavity—large enough to drive a large truck through. Highline installed lighting and electrical distribution inside the bridge, improved the streetlighting infrastructure and completed sign structure installations on the adjacent roadways.
“It’s a massive structure that not many people realize the complexity of the project,” said Hutton. “It was a really iconic job.”
In Canmore, Highline recently completed work on a flood mitigation project for Cougar Creek—an area severely impacted by the 2013 floods. Drawing on experience from past light industrial and water monitoring projects, Highline was well-equipped to handle the complex demands of the build.
“It entailed building a dam on a creek bed with multiple level instruments, gate controls, and real-time monitoring for the town,” Carr explained. “It was a really unique project and shows the range of what we’re capable of.”
Another landmark project that Highline has successfully completed is Edmonton’s iconic Walterdale Bridge—a well-known city landmark featured in commercials and even Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts. “It’s a proud statement piece in Edmonton,” said Hutton, describing it as a signature project for the team.
Beyond the infrastructure and technology, Highline’s success is deeply rooted in its people and culture.
“I think the reason we’re successful is because we have very skilled staff who are proud of the work they complete,” said Carr. “Our focus is to provide efficient, high-quality electrical services, and that becomes evident to our clients.”
Hutton agreed, highlighting the company’s steady growth in staff and offices. “We’ve expanded significantly, employing electricians, mechanics, operators, office staff, and skilled service technicians. Our field staff put in a ton of effort, and our project managers have field experience, so they know what it takes to run jobs efficiently.”
He also credited the company’s internal support teams. “Our financial department, our mechanics—they all work behind the scenes to make sure our crews in the field have what they need.”
As 2025 unfolds, Highline remains optimistic. Several multi-year projects are approaching completion, and with tendering season underway, the team is actively pursuing new opportunities.
Hutton joked that they’re aiming for “world domination of the marketplace,” but the sentiment reflects a genuine confidence in the road ahead.
Highline is also investing in the future through training and innovation. The company has rolled out a robust quality control program to track product installations and deliver even more transparency to clients.
“All the products we install—we want to make sure they’re going to last for years,” said Hutton. “Quality is a big push, and it’s going to help us continue growing.” He added: “At the end of the day—and I’m going to steal a quote here from Alex Budzinski—it’s just a bunch of epic people doing a bunch of epic projects.”
That spirit of teamwork, investment in people, and relentless pursuit of excellence has defined Highline for nearly five decades—and shows no signs of slowing down.
