A section of road along Highway 2A near Crossfield towards the Highway 72 interchange currently has four speed limit changes and the Town of Crossfield is hoping to change that.
After a letter exchange with Alberta Transportation (AT), it became clear to the Town of Crossfield that there was a differing interpretation of the section of road that should be changed.
Crossfield’s administration recommended at their Feb. 6 council meeting, to proceed with the change as it aligns with AT’s interpretation.
AT suggested a change to an 80 km/hr zone starting from the current north 70 km/hr zone of Highway 2A running parallel to the Town towards the 60 km/hr zone at the Highway 2 and Highway 72 interchange.
Council originally sought to implement the change only from the south border of Crossfield where the current 100 km/hr zone starts.
The section of Highway 2A for which council is seeking an amended speed zone, falls outside of the Town’s boundaries and AT requires the support of Rocky View County (RVC). To date, a letter of support on this matter has not been forwarded to AT, but RVC discussed the same issue in 2019 when they voted not to request a speed limit change.
Crossfield plans to discuss the issue with RVC in March to proceed as a unified voice.
Crossfield’s administration initially sent a letter to AT in June 2023, outlining concerns regarding the four-speed limit change, after receiving a letter from a concerned resident.
The letter specifically referred to the portion between the Town and Highway interchange and was not inclusive of any section of roadway north of Crossfield.
Minister of transportation and economic corridors, Devin Dreeshen, wrote to council in October, stating the existing speed limits were considered appropriate considering the location.
“The existing speed limit of 60 km per hour going over top of the Highway 2/2A/72 interchange is set appropriately as there is limited stopping sight distance available when travelling over the interchange,” his letter stated. “Additionally, the 60km/h zone accommodates traffic exiting Highway 2 to safely make a left turn onto Highway 2A/72.”
Similarly, he stated the existing 80 km/h speed limit on either side of the interchange was put in place as a transition zone and not recommended to change.
“If both the Town of Crossfield and Rocky View County support a speed limit amendment to a continuous 80 km/h zone, the department would be willing to consider combining the existing 70 km/hr, 100 km/hr, and 80 km/hr speed zones between Crossfield and the interchange,” he wrote.
At the Dec. 5 meeting, council motioned to send a letter to support the speed limit change to a continuous 80 km/hr zone, combining the 70 km/hr, 100 km/hr, and 80 km/hr zones between Crossfield and the interchange. That motion has since been rescinded to be discussed further with the County.
