The Alberta government will move ahead with a trial next year to raise speed limits to 120 km/h on select rural divided highways, following strong public support and months of discussion.

 

Majority of Albertans Support the Change

 

According to the province, nearly 59,000 people took part in an online survey earlier this fall. Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says about 68 per cent of respondents were in favour of increasing speed limits on divided highways.

 

Currently, many of Alberta’s major rural corridors are capped at 110 km/h. The province says several of these highways were engineered to safely handle higher speeds, particularly heavily travelled routes like the Calgary–Edmonton corridor.

 

Where the Trial Could Apply

 

While the government has not released a final list of highways, officials have indicated the focus will be on rural divided highways with modern design standards, wide medians, and strong safety records. The changes will be introduced as a trial, allowing the province to monitor traffic flow, collision rates, and enforcement impacts before making any permanent decisions.

 

Safety Concerns Raised by Some Communities

 

Not everyone is on board. Earlier this month, town councillors in Okotoks voted to formally oppose the proposal, arguing that higher speeds could increase the risk of serious collisions and strain emergency response resources.

 

Those concerns echo what happened in British Columbia, where speed limits were raised to 120 km/h on several highways in 2014. Some of those increases were later reversed after collision rates climbed on certain routes.

 

What Happens Next

 

The Alberta government says safety data will play a key role in determining whether the higher speed limits remain in place after the trial period. For now, the 120 km/h limit is expected to roll out on select highways in 2026, with ongoing evaluation built into the process.

 

More details on which highways will be included are expected closer to the launch of the trial.