Okotoks opposes province's proposal to increase highway speeds

The Town of Okotoks is formally opposing the Alberta government’s proposal to increase the speed limit by 10 kilometres on Highway 2.

Earlier this week, Okotoks Town Council approved both an individual letter and a joint letter with Foothills County to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors opposing the change, citing “long-standing safety concerns” at three intersections.

The proposed change would see the speed limit change from 110 km/hr to 120 km/hr.

“The Town has identified significant risks at the Highway 2 intersections at 306 Avenue, 338 Avenue and 370 Avenue, where collision patterns and high travel speeds have been well-documented,” the town of Okotoks said in a statement released Dec. 9. 

According to the statement, the majority of accidents at these intersections involve vehicles turning left, and median closures are recommended as the most effective solution.

“The engineering evidence is clear: higher speeds increase the severity of collisions along this corridor,” said Okotoks Mayor Tanya Thorn in the statement.

“Until the recommended safety improvements are constructed, increasing the speed limit would contradict the findings of these studies and elevate risks for all drivers.”

The letter sent to Alberta Transportation requested the increase to the speed limit on Highway 2 be postponed until safety concerns have been addressed, and that funding be committed to median closures or interchanges for the three flagged intersections in the meantime.

The Alberta government is currently seeking input from the public and stakeholders about raising speed limits on divided highways throughout the province by 10 km/h.

Albertans can provide feedback online until Dec. 12 on various sections of highway, including Highway 1 from Banff to the Saskatchewan border, and Highway 2 between Edmonton and Fort Macleod, excluding Deerfoot Trail.

According the Alberta Government’s website, if the change goes forward, speed limits “would not be raised without first completing necessary safety improvements.”

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said in a statement on Friday that municipal feedback, as well as responses from individuals, engineering assessments, collision statistics and expert analysis, will all be considerations in the decision.

“We are also examining safety measures beyond speed, including restricting commercial trucks from using certain lanes on three-lane sections, (which) many Albertans have already identified as a priority to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions.”

An interchange at the intersection of Highway 2 and 338 Avenue, he said, is in the preliminary design stage following the completion of a functional planning study. 

“That study looked closely at projected growth, future developments, traffic volumes, interchange configurations and right-of-way needs, and included extensive engagement with landowners and local stakeholders,” Dreeshen said.

“This interchange is a critical safety upgrade and a vital part of supporting the region’s economic future, and we remain committed to moving it forward in a responsible, coordinated way.”