Ex-city manager: The destructive implications of the proposed Highway 2 realignment

While the need to reconstruct aging transportation infrastructure is recognized, concerns have been raised regarding the extent of environmental impacts associated with the current design. During public discussions, it was acknowledged that alternative designs exist that could substantially reduce impacts on the park while still meeting transportation objectives.

This memorandum provides historical context regarding the development of Maskepetoon Park, outlines concerns regarding the proposed highway alignment, and identifies alternative approaches that may achieve a more balanced outcome between transportation improvements and environmental stewardship.

It is hoped that further consideration will be given to alternatives that minimize impacts on this unique natural area while addressing the long-term transportation needs of the region.

Alberta Transportation is currently advancing plans to reconstruct and widen Highway 2 and its associated river crossings through Maskepetoon Park. Based on information presented during recent public information sessions, the proposed alignment is projected to result in the loss of approximately 25% of the park, including portions of its wetlands and tamarack forest. While the need to reconstruct aging transportation infrastructure is recognized, concerns have been raised that viable alternatives may exist which would significantly reduce environmental impacts while still achieving transportation objectives.

The significance of this issue is heightened by the history of the area. In 1981, the City of Red Deer worked in partnership with CPR and Alberta Transportation to relocate the railway line and its yards outside the downtown. The original design was to locate the new line directly through the centre of Maskepetoon Park. Alberta Transportation and the City were able to convince CPR to locate the line west of Highway 2 in order to protect the unique environment of the park, an important component of the planned Waskasoo Park system.

Maskepetoon Park includes a unique wetland and vegetation community along the river, with a significant stand of tamarack forest and a steep escarpment above. Once the issue of railway relocation had been resolved, the City prepared a detailed Master Plan in 2008 that included nature trails, walkways, and viewing platforms. Phase 1 of the Master Plan was implemented as a Centennial Project and officially opened by Mayor Morris Flewwelling as part of the celebrations in 2013.

Since 2013, Maskepetoon Park has gained provincial and national recognition as a unique natural area and one of the City’s pollinator parks. In 2017, Expedia recognized the area as one of “The 34 Most Breathtaking Places in North America.” At the time, Global News reported:

“The Central Alberta city of Red Deer may suddenly have something much more important … a significant endorsement from one of the most powerful brands in the global travel industry.”

When railway relocation was completed in 1984, the right-of-way was established directly adjacent to that of Highway 2. It was acknowledged that the highway would need to be rebuilt and expanded in the future and that this would generally occur on the current alignment with limited impact on the natural area.

Alberta Transportation confirmed that the highway, which was posted at 110 km/h, had a design speed 10 to 15 km/h above that. It was also suggested that any new bridge should include a pedestrian walkway linking Heritage Ranch and Maskepetoon Park. In addition, it was noted that the new bridge should have a span wide enough to allow wildlife to migrate along the river’s edge.

In July 2025, Alberta Transportation, with minimal notice and advertisement, held a public information session and announced a new plan to reconstruct and widen Highway 2 and its bridges through a major portion of Maskepetoon Park. Under the proposed alignment, at least 25% of the park, including sections of the wetlands and tamarack forest, would be effectively destroyed.

Community members expressed major concern about the lack of consultation and the impact on the much-valued park system. Alberta Transportation stated unequivocally that the session was for information only and that the alignment was required to improve safety and achieve a design speed of 130 km/h.

Following discussions with a number of community groups and City Council, a further public information session was held at Festival Hall on June 18. Once again, Alberta Transportation indicated there was no flexibility in the alignment and that the project had now moved to the detailed design stage, with construction beginning as early as 2028.

At the September meeting, the question was asked whether the increased design standard was related to the rumoured increase in the speed limit on Highway 2. Alberta Transportation indicated there were no plans to increase the speed limit. However, a few months later, the department began consultation on increasing highway speed limits and a pilot study was introduced. At the outset of the June 18 meeting, Alberta Transportation stated that the plans under consideration were not related to the pilot study.

The Alberta Transportation Highway Geometric Design Guide states that research has shown that drivers tend to travel at a speed “somewhere between the posted speed and 10 km/h greater” and that the design speed should always be greater than the posted speed to allow an element of safety.

This would suggest that the current alignment, with a safety factor of 10 km/h above the posted limit, should meet the need. If the posted speed limit on the highway were increased to 120 km/h, then a design speed of 130 km/h would be required.

At the public information session on June 18, there was an acknowledgement by Alberta Transportation that alternative designs were available which would achieve a design speed of 125 km/h and would significantly reduce the impact on the park system. This would seem a reasonable alternative, as it would provide a safety margin of 15 km/h above the current speed limit.

Members of the public also suggested that the speed limit on the 5 km section of highway through the city could be reduced to 100 km/h, which would reduce serious accidents and increase the safety margin.

CONCLUSION

The current situation is that Alberta Transportation is vigorously defending the proposed realignment to achieve a design speed of 130 km/h. This would destroy at least 25% of the current park area and have a significant impact on wildlife, wetlands, and tamarack forest in the area.

This matter will come before City Council, as it owns the land. It is my hope that the Mayor and Council can convince the Ministry that one of the following alternatives should be considered:

• Reconstruct the bridges and widen the highway centred on the current alignment, with the current design speed. This will have some limited impact on the park.

• Reconstruct the highway based on the alternative designed by Al-Terra Engineering, which would maintain the posted speed limit of 110 km/h and a design speed of 125 km/h. The impact on the park would still be significant but would not damage the overall integrity of the park.

• Reconstruct the highway based on the current alignment but adjust the speed limit to increase the difference between the posted speed and the design speed. This is likely the safest alternative but may require additional enforcement.

In my view, the destruction of a unique natural resource such as Maskepetoon Park should not proceed unless it can be clearly demonstrated that no reasonable alternative exists. Where viable alternatives are available that substantially reduce environmental impacts while meeting transportation objectives, those alternatives deserve careful consideration.

—

EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pattison Media. Column/op-ed suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.

by Craig Curtis

Ex-city manager: The destructive implications of the proposed Highway 2 realignment

What's Trending