The prospect of impending rapid development of the Athabasca Tar Sands which will generate an unprecedented demand for a wide variety of transportation facilities makes it imperative that the future linkage of the resource area with its markets and supply centres be planned in a comprehensive and logical manner. There has been much discussion and considerable debate regarding the feasibility of combining multiple pipelines, electric-power transmission lines, highways, railroads and communication systems in a single right-of-way or corridor. The general consensus is that in the past there could have been considerable financial saving and less detrimental effect on the total environment had more planning and positive action been undertaken in this regard. However the development of multi-purpose transportation corridors has not taken place due to the inability of a user of such a corridor to initiate the organization and then administer the diverse factors and interests implicit therein. On June 12th, 1973, the Honorable W. J. Yurko, Minister of Alberta Environment signed an agreement authorizing the Athabasca Tar Sands Corridor Study. The purpose of the study was to make recommendations regarding the feasibility and desirability of combining pipelines carrying synthetic crude oil and other products in the same corridor with existing or future utilities and transportation systems, then to select the desired corridor route and the preferred location of a terminal. The recommendations were to be based upon the objective of achieving a realistic balance between minimum social and environmental disturbance and economic cost. In addition, consideration was to be given to the opinions of the various people and organizations who would be affected by the resultant facilities. To this end, representatives from citizen organizations, rural and urban municipalities, industry and the consultant group were involved in the study. This report is the first of a two part report and it deals with the \"Corridor Concept\", its feasibility, application and implementation. Part Two of the report will deal with the location of the corridor and pipeline terminals. This report is the work of many people as indicated in the appendix volumes which contain most of the background information gathered during the study. It is hoped that this report will be used in formulating transportation corridor policy and that legislation covering this aspect will become a reality. Preserving and enhancing the quality of our environment and the quality of life is a continued activity. It is hoped that the co-operation that was evident in the preparation of this report will continue and prevail throughout the much larger and more complex problems involving the development of the full potential of the Athabasca Tar Sands.