Red Deer County efforts to slow down traffic near Junction 42 Partnership Rest Area have paid off.
The municipality lobbied Alberta Transportation for months to reduce the speed at the busy stopping point to 70 km/h from 100 km/h to improve safety. Near-misses were happening regularly as trucks and other vehicles pulled into or out of the rest area.
The county got word earlier this week that the speed limit change had become official.
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Signs with the new posted speed will be located at Highway 42 at Range Road 275 and at Range Road 273. Other signs alerting drivers of the speed change will be posted on Highway 2.
“This is a huge win for safety in the area. This is what Red Deer County has been lobbying for,” said the county in a statement.
Reducing the speed in the area took on additional urgency because there is construction planned for the area.
While the county had hoped for a roundabout at Junction 42, Alberta Transportation has instead helped fund improved right-lane access into the truck stop and on to Range Road 273A.
Construction will take place this summer.