By 1996, work had begun on a section north of Coutts, and a $26 million commitment had been made by Alberta to a group of projects that included the widening of Highway 4 in Lethbridge. By 1998, a section south of Lethbridge to Highway 845 had been completed. For the majority of the highway, the newly constructed lanes carried northbound traffic and the existing road was converted to carry southbound traffic. Almost all work had been completed before the end of the decade. On September 18, 1999, Highway 4 was renamed the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. The route was travelled between 1942 and 1944 by Canadian volunteers of the force to join their American counterparts for training at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena in preparation for World War II. Several Canadian and American members of the force that came to be known as the "Devil's Brigade" were on hand in Milk River for the dedication of plaques for the route, and signs at both ends of the highway were erected. Interstate 15 between Sweet Grass and Helena had received the same name in 1996.