Alberta Highway 2

Alberta Provincial Highway No. 2, commonly referred to as Highway 2 or the Queen Elizabeth II Highway,[lower-alpha 2] is a major highway in Alberta that stretches from the Canada–United States border through Calgary and Edmonton to Grande Prairie. Running primarily north to south for approximately 1,273 kilometres (791 mi), it is the longest and busiest highway in the province carrying more than 170,000 vehicles per day near Downtown Calgary. The Fort Macleod—Edmonton section forms a portion of the CANAMEX Corridor that links Alaska to Mexico. More than half of Alberta's 4 million residents live in the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor created by Highway 2.

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Highway 2
Highway 2 highlighted in red
Route information
Length1,273 km[lower-alpha 1] (791 mi)
Major junctions
South end US 89 at U.S. border in Carway
 
North end Hwy 43 near Grande Prairie
Location
Specialized
and rural
municipalities
Major citiesCalgary, Airdrie, Red Deer, Lacombe, Leduc, Edmonton, St. Albert
Highway system
Provincial highways in Alberta
Hwy 1X Hwy 2A

U.S. Route 89 enters Alberta from Montana and becomes Highway 2, a two-lane road that traverses the foothills of southern Alberta to Fort Macleod where it intersects Highway 3 and becomes divided. In Calgary, the route is a busy freeway named Deerfoot Trail that continues into central Alberta as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, bypassing Red Deer. In Edmonton, it is briefly concurrent with freeway sections of Highways 216 and 16 before bisecting St. Albert and reverting to two lanes en route to Athabasca. It bends northwest along the south shore of Lesser Slave Lake as the Northern Woods and Water Route into High Prairie, before turning north to Peace River, west to Fairview and finally south to Grande Prairie where it ends at Highway 43.

Originally numbered as Highway 1, Highway 2 is the oldest major highway in Alberta and the first to stretch north into the Peace Country. It was historically known as the Calgary and Edmonton Trail, Sunshine Trail, and the Blue Trail. Major changes include the construction of a divided expressway between Calgary and Edmonton in the 1960s, realignment along Deerfoot Trail in the 1980s, and twinning south of Nanton in the 1990s. A Highway 43 realignment in 1998 shortened Highway 2 by nearly 90 km (56 mi) to its current northern terminus in Grande Prairie; it previously extended west to British Columbia Highway 2 at the border.[3] Several projects including median widening and interchange upgrades have been undertaken in the 2010s to increase the safety of the highway's busier sections, with further improvements either under construction or awaiting funding. Bypasses of Fort Macleod, Claresholm, and Nanton are planned as part of Alberta's effort to make its portion of the CANAMEX Corridor free-flowing from border to border.

Route description

Overview

Highway 2 is a core route in the National Highway System of Canada. The speed limit along most parts of the highway between Fort Macleod and Morinville is 110 km/h (68 mph) and in urban areas, such as through Claresholm, Nanton, Calgary and Edmonton, it ranges from 50 km/h (31 mph) to 110 km/h (68 mph). During the winter, accidents are common on the stretch of the highway between Calgary and Edmonton as the weather can change rapidly and drivers underestimate the conditions, overwhelming emergency services attempting to respond.[4] As the main north-south access in Alberta, Highway 2 is the preferred path of the CANAMEX Corridor.[5] Between Fort Macleod and Edmonton, Highway 2 maintains no fewer than four lanes of traffic and is largely a freeway between Okotoks and Edmonton, with improvements underway to eliminate the at-grade crossings that remain.[6]

Highway 2 is a lightly travelled divided highway near Claresholm.
Near De Winton, Highway 2A splits to the southwest, connecting Calgary to Okotoks.

Foothills

Highway 2 begins at the United States border, as the two lane U.S. Route 89 crosses into Canada at Carway.[7] The road proceeds north through the Rocky Mountain Foothills to a brief concurrency with Highway 501, before bisecting the town of Cardston.[8] At the north end of town, the highway enters Blood Indian Reserve No. 148 and Highway 5 splits west to Waterton Lakes National Park; it is briefly concurrent with Highway 2 before splitting east to cross the St. Mary River en route to Magrath and Lethbridge. Highway 2 continues north to another short concurrency with Highway 505 during which it crosses the Waterton River to Stand Off, continuing across the Belly River to Fort Macleod in the Municipal District of Willow Creek.[6]

Less than 1 km before meeting Highway 3 southeast of Fort Macleod, Highway 2 becomes a divided highway.[6] Highway 3 splits east to Lethbridge, and the combined Highways 2 and 3 turn due west through town as a divided highway at a speed limit of 50 km/h. West of town, the highways diverge at an interchange; Highway 3 continues west as the Crowsnest Highway to Pincher Creek and British Columbia, and Highway 2 turns north across the Oldman River as a divided highway.[9] It continues approximately 25 km (16 mi) north to Granum from which Highway 519 splits to the east. In tandem with Highway 23, Highway 519 is often used by CANAMEX traffic to bypass Fort Macleod.[10] Further north on Highway 2, the towns of Claresholm and Nanton are each bisected at a reduced speed limit of 50 km/h. The highway is concurrent with Highway 533 for its brief distance through Nanton.[11]

North of Nanton, the highway continues into the Municipal District of Foothills to a major junction with Highways 23 and 2A at High River, after which it veers northwest to cross the Highwood River.[9] On the other side of the river, a second interchange provides access to Okotoks via Highways 7 and 2A, and Highway 2 continues north across the Sheep River to De Winton where Highway 2A splits into southwest Calgary as Macleod Trail, and Highway 2 veers northeast toward the Bow River valley and southeast Calgary.[12]

Deerfoot Trail
Length:46 km (29 mi)
South end: Hwy 2A near De Winton
North end: Hwy 201, north Calgary

Calgary

From its split with Macleod Trail, Highway 2 becomes a major freeway named Deerfoot Trail that descends to cross the Bow River before entering Calgary city limits. In the city it crosses the river twice more, jogging back and forth between its east and west bank.[12][13] The freeway intersects the Stoney Trail ring road at the south end of Calgary, with signage recommending that traffic en route to Calgary International Airport, Edmonton, and Medicine Hat use eastbound Stoney Trail as a bypass.[14] Deerfoot Trail then merges with the major routes of Anderson Road and Bow Bottom Trail. Crossing Glenmore Trail (Highway 8), Memorial Drive (access to downtown Calgary) and 16 Avenue NE (Highway 1), Deerfoot Trail continues into north Calgary past the Calgary International Airport en route to a second interchange with Stoney Trail at the Calgary city limit. The Deerfoot Trail designation is dropped, and the highway carries on north into Rocky View County.[15]

Queen Elizabeth II Highway

Queen Elizabeth II Highway
Length:261 km[16] (162 mi)
South end: Hwy 201, north Calgary
North end:41 Ave SW, Edmonton
The Queen Elizabeth II Highway bisects Airdrie.

Highway 2 exits north Calgary as a six-lane freeway called the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, a name it retains until the southern city limit of Edmonton.[15] It passes the major shopping centre of CrossIron Mills, bisecting the city of Airdrie several kilometers later.[8] North of Airdrie, the route extends to Highway 72 before bypassing Crossfield and entering Mountain View County, continuing north past interchanges at Highways 581 and 582 leading to the communities of Carstairs and Didsbury, respectively. The highway meets Highway 27 at a cloverleaf interchange near Olds, approximately halfway between Calgary and Red Deer. Highway 2 enters Red Deer County and proceeds to interchanges with Highway 587 at Bowden, Highways 54 and 590 at Innisfail, and Highway 42 near Penhold prior to the city of Red Deer. South of the city, from McKenzie Road to 19 Street, the highway widens to six lanes through an area known as Gasoline Alley. It is a popular stop for travellers and truckers including fuel stations and food establishments on either side of the highway, accessible via the interchange at McKenzie Road.[17] Continuing north the highway again reduces to four lanes, veering left to bypass Red Deer to the west while Gaetz Avenue splits north into the city.[18]

West of Red Deer, Highway 2 passes Red Deer College and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame before descending into the valley of the Red Deer River.[9] It crosses the river alongside a railroad bridge, then curves north to interchanges with Highways 11 and 11A, leading west to Rocky Mountain House and Sylvan Lake, respectively.[19] North of 11A, the highway crosses the Blindman River into Lacombe County to an interchange with Highway 597 at Blackfalds, curving slightly northeast to an interchange at Highway 12 at Lacombe.[8]

Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Leduc and Edmonton

North of Lacombe, Highway 2 is again briefly concurrent with Highway 2A before reaching Highway 53 near Ponoka just after crossing the Battle River.[20] The four lane highway continues approximately 30 km (19 mi) through gentle rolling hills of aspen parkland in Ponoka County to an interchange at Highway 611 where it enters Wetaskiwin County.[21] Near Bearhills Lake, the highway meets Highway 13, providing access east to Wetaskiwin and Camrose, and west to Pigeon Lake. North of an interchange with Highway 616 the highway enters Leduc County, bending northeast toward the city of Leduc.[8]

After entering Leduc city limits, Highway 2 meets Highway 2A, which proceeds southeast through Leduc's southern suburbs as a four lane arterial road. Highway 2 immediately travels over Highway 39 at a diamond interchange, serving as the main access to central Leduc and ultimately leading west to Drayton Valley. Now six lanes wide, Highway 2 curves slightly to the northeast to pass on the east side of Edmonton International Airport, still 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Edmonton city limits.[21] The grass median significantly widens to over 100 m (330 ft), and access to the airport and Nisku is provided by an interchange at Airport Road.[22] Traffic levels increase as commuters travel to and from the Leduc area to Edmonton, and the highway meets a second interchange at Highway 19/625 which serves the airport. The highway curves slightly to the northeast to an interchange at 41 Avenue SW, marking the Edmonton city limit and the end of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway designation.[23]

Edmonton and Sturgeon County

In Edmonton, Highway 2 follows Calgary Trail/Gateway Blvd, Whitemud Drive, Anthony Henday Drive, Yellowhead Trail, and St. Albert Trail.

Five separately named routes are designated as Highway 2 in the cities of Edmonton and St. Albert, denoted by varying levels of signage. At the south end of Edmonton, the highway significantly widens to five lanes each way. The northbound lanes become Gateway Boulevard and the southbound lanes Calgary Trail, and the two carriageways diverge to pass Gateway Park, located in the median of the highway and accessible from both directions.[23] North of the park, the two directions of travel come back together, now at a reduced speed limit of 90 km/h (56 mph), to meet at the major east-west arterial of Ellerslie Road, providing access to Edmonton's southern residential areas of Heritage Valley, Ellerslie, and Summerside. This diamond interchange is intertwined with the major cloverstack interchange at Anthony Henday Drive (Highway 216) which immediately follows. Henday is a ring road that surrounds Edmonton, connecting Highway 2 to Highway 16. Signage directs traffic destined for Lloydminster to use the southeast portion of Henday to reach Highway 16 north of Sherwood Park. Traffic destined for Jasper, Cold Lake, and Fort McMurray are directed onto the southwest portion of Henday to reach Highway 16 at Edmonton's west end.[24]

The Quesnell Bridge, built in 1968, carries Highway 2 over the North Saskatchewan River in central Edmonton
Looking east at Morinville; Highway 2 passes west of the town

The freeway ends as three lanes of Gateway Boulevard eventually widen to four, travelling north past South Edmonton Common through south Edmonton as a busy urban street to Whitemud Drive.[23] Calgary Trail carries the southbound lanes of Highway 2 approximately 225 m (738 ft) to the west of Gateway Boulevard. The designation of Highway 2 turns west onto Whitemud Drive and it becomes a freeway once again, though now only at 80 km/h (50 mph), unlike the 100 km/h limit of the highway through Calgary.[25]

Whitemud Drive descends to cross Whitemud Creek before curving north to span the North Saskatchewan River on the Quesnell Bridge.[23] It then turns back west to meet Anthony Henday Drive again, now in the vicinity of West Edmonton Mall. Henday assumes the designation of Highway 2 for a 6.7 km (4 mi) stretch to Yellowhead Trail (Highway 16), though the concurrency is unsigned. Yellowhead Trail continues east into Edmonton as a six lane freeway, again unsigned as Highway 2, until St. Albert Trail which proceeds northwest through light industrial and commercial areas before crossing Anthony Henday Drive to exit Edmonton into St. Albert.[23] The six lane road is the main artery of the city with a speed limit of 60 km/h (37 mph), and crosses the Sturgeon River before exiting the city to the north into Sturgeon County as a divided highway approximately 5 km (3 mi) beyond the Sturgeon River. North of the city, the highway intersects Highway 37 before an interchange at Highway 642 west of Morinville, the main access for the town.[23]

Westlock County and Athabasca

Northern Woods and Water Route
Length:262 km[26] (163 mi)
West end: Hwy 2A west of High Prairie
East end: Hwy 55 in Athabasca
West of the town of Athabasca, Highway 2 is part of the Northern Woods and Water Route

Highway 2 reduces to a two lane highway immediately after Morinville, extending north past Manawan and Haley Lakes into Westlock County and a three-way intersection with Highway 18 near Clyde and Westlock.[27] The highway turns due east, briefly concurrent with Highway 18 for 1 km, before turning northeast through increasingly wooded areas and a short concurrency with Highway 663 to Athabasca.[8][28] The highway descends through the town at 50 km/h as 50 Street toward the Athabasca River valley, before turning west to parallel the river as 50 Avenue.[29] From this point until its split with Highway 49 over 200 km (120 mi) to the west, Highway 2 is designated as the Northern Woods and Water Route.[30][31]

The speed limit returns to 100 km/h as the highway climbs from the valley toward Baptiste Lake.[32] At the lake, the two lane Highway 2 turns north to follow the west bank of the Athabasca River for approximately 35 km (22 mi) before turning west at Lawrence Lake toward the unincorporated community of Hondo. There, it meets the northern terminus of Highway 44 before crossing the river and continuing northwest for 50 km to the southern terminus of Highway 88 in Slave Lake. Highway 88 follows the east bank of Lesser Slave Lake before a long journey north to Fort Vermilion.[9] In Slave Lake, Highway 2 bisects the town at a limit of 60 km/h, before returning to 100 km/h west of Caribou Trail, following the scenic southern shore of Lesser Slave Lake to Highway 33 near Kinuso, which leads south to Swan Hills. At Driftpile the highway crosses a river of the same name en route to High Prairie at the west end of Lesser Slave Lake.[8][33]

Peace Country

14 km (8.7 mi) west of High Prairie, the highway turns north past Winagami Lake to the town of McLennan on the south shore of Kimiwan Lake. It carries on west to a junction with Highway 49, locally known as 'Donnelly Corner'.[34] The two lane highway proceeds north through aspen parkland past Lac Magloire to the town of Nampa,[35] after which it crosses the Heart River, a tributary of Peace River. The highway then curves to the northwest and descends along the steep east bank of the Heart River into the town of Peace River.[36] A passing lane aids eastbound traffic climbing from the valley.

Highway 2 over the Peace River on the Dunvegan Bridge

The two lane highway continues west through the town of Peace River before crossing the river of the same name. Climbing on the west bank of the river, it widens to four lanes and meets Alberta Highway 684 (Shaftesbury Trail) before exiting Peace River, reducing to two lanes, and passing north of Peace River Airport. 5 km (3.1 mi) east Cardinal Lake, Highway 2 meets Highway 35, the Mackenzie Highway. Highway 2 turns south to Grimshaw, while Highway 35 turns north, following the Peace River to High Level.[37] Highway 2 bisects Grimshaw as 51 Street, then exits the town before turning west shortly thereafter, winding through the aspen parkland of the Peace Country to the town of Fairview, in which a campus of Grande Prairie Regional College is immediately south of the highway. The road continues west out of Fairview as Highway 64A, while Highway 2 turns south to exit the town, curving west then south again toward the Peace River valley. It again curves west to descend along the river's steep north bank.[37] The highway crosses the Peace River on the Dunvegan Bridge, a suspension bridge over 700 m (2,300 ft) long.[38][39]:50 Passing lanes assist traffic climbing from the valley on both sides of the river.[37]

The highway continues 20 km (12 mi) south to the town of Rycroft, where Highway 49 splits west carrying the remainder of the Northern Woods and Water Route to the British Columbia border.[37] Highway 2 continues south to Highway 59 where it becomes a divided highway before bisecting Sexsmith and continuing to Highway 43 north of Grande Prairie, its northern terminus from 1998 to 2019. Prior to 1998, Highway 2 followed Highway 43 into British Columbia, where it became British Columbia Highway 2 to Dawson Creek. In 2019, when Highway 43 was moved to Highway 43X and bypassed Grande Prairie, Highway 2 was extended 2.4 km (1.5 mi) south to Grande Prairie city limits along its former, pre-1998 alignment;[40] in Grande Prairie it becomes 100 Street.

Volume

Traffic volumes (2019)[41]
Location Volume
Cardston5,450
Fort Macleod6,110
High River18,760
Memorial Dr
Calgary
173,500
32 St
Red Deer
51,940
Nisku99,710
Morinville6,400
Peace River14,430
Grande Prairie23,620
Near Okotoks, Highway 2 carried more than 54,000 vehicles per day in 2019

Highway 2 has a wide range of traffic levels along its length. At the south end, the highway is a lightly travelled two lane road from the United States border to Fort Macleod. It then doubles to four lanes and volume progressively increases until De Winton north of Okotoks, but remains relatively light.[42] Within Calgary, volume climbs exponentially on Deerfoot Trail through the southern suburbs of the city reaching more than 170,000 vehicles per day at Memorial Drive near downtown, making that stretch of Highway 2 the busiest roadway in western Canada. Volume swiftly drops north of Beddington Trail in Calgary, but remains moderate on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway until Edmonton where it again increases to nearly 100,000 vehicles per day south of the city. Whitemud Drive, Anthony Henday Drive, Yellowhead Trail, and St. Albert Trail are all busy expressways carrying large volumes of local traffic, especially at peak hours. North of St. Albert the drop in traffic is brisk, increasingly so after Morinville where the highway is no longer divided. Volume remains very light through most of the Peace Country before briefly exceeding 20,000 vehicles per day near the northern terminus in Grande Prairie.[42]

Alberta Transportation publishes yearly traffic volume data for provincial highways.[42] The table compares the AADT at several locations along Highway 2 using data from 2016, expressed as an average daily vehicle count over the span of a year (AADT).

Enforcement and collisions

The Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Calgary and Edmonton is prone to collisions in the winter, sometimes resulting in hours of delay, closures, and redirection of traffic onto sections of the adjacent Highway 2A.[43] Deerfoot Trail in Calgary is also prone to a higher than average number of collisions due to its high volume and concentration of interchanges within a relatively short distance.[44]

Alberta Transportation has established several zones on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway where the 110 km/h speed limit is enforced by aircraft.[45][46] The program is conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and was relaunched in 2013 after being on hiatus due to budget concerns.[47] Several aircraft are used including the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter. The number of tickets written during the operation is generally not enough to negate the cost of operating the aircraft, but police have stated that they are catching drivers committing infractions over a longer stretch of the road.[48] In 2016, Leduc proposed photo radar speed enforcement on Highway 2 between the south end of the city and Edmonton's southern limit to catch excessive speeders, pending provincial approval.[49][50] It is already in use within Edmonton and Leduc limits, but it would be the first implementation on Highway 2. Some residents complained that revenue was the main objective of the project.[51] The argument was refuted by Leduc mayor Greg Krischke, who stated that the project is not a "cash cow" and the primary objective is to reduce excessive speed and increase safety for first responders.[51] An Alberta Transportation study shows that 100,000 vehicles exceeded 140 km/h (87 mph) on the stretch in 2015, and Krischke stated that drivers who do not want tickets should abide by the speed limit.[51] However, in 2014, less than 10% of injury collisions in Alberta involved drivers travelling at unsafe speeds.[52] Tailgating was a factor in almost 50% of injury collisions.[52]

History

Early years

Looking west on Stoney Trail NE at its interchange with Deerfoot Trail in north Calgary

Trails in the vicinity of the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor long predate the province of Alberta itself, which was not split from the Northwest Territories until 1905. The Calgary and Edmonton Trail was established as several trails ran south from a fur trade post that had been established at Fort Edmonton prior to 1800. The northern portion of the route between Calgary and Edmonton was traveled by David Thompson in 1800.[53] The more modern trail was blazed by John McDougall in 1873 as far as Morley and extended to Calgary two years later. Development of the trail allowed mail service between Calgary and Edmonton in July 1883.[54]

By 1930, the entire present-day alignment of Highway 2 through to the British Columbia west of Grande Prairie had already been established as the Sunshine Trail. [55] It was a gravelled highway that ran from the US border at Carway directly through Macleod, Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton to Clyde where it became a dirt road. North of Clyde, it was the only highway that extended north into the Peace Country, bending east to Athabasca then northwest to Peace River. A secondary dirt road proceeded southwest to Dunvegan and the current terminus at Grande Prairie.[55]

When Alberta highways first received numbers, the present-day Highway 2 was originally designated as Highway 1. When the major east—west route through Calgary that had been previously designated as Highway 2 was assigned to the Trans-Canada Highway, the province's major north—south route became Highway 2. A review of historical Alberta official road maps shows this to be the case prior to 1941.[56] Highway 2 is one of the oldest major highways in Alberta, and the first to stretch north into the Peace Country as it long predates Highways 43 and 63.

Later years

The intermittent sections of two-lane road between Calgary and Edmonton now designated as Highway 2A previously comprised the primary route between Calgary and Edmonton, Passing through Carstairs, the heart of Red Deer, Blackfalds, Ponoka, and Wetaskiwin. Plans were developed in the late 1950s for a new four-lane superhighway to connect Calgary and Edmonton, creating a safer route that would bypass most of the communities along the way. The plan to bypass Red Deer and Lacombe was presented by minister Gordon Taylor on September 15, 1960 at a meeting in Red Deer.[57] The new $7 million divided highway would alleviate congestion on the existing route through Red Deer, splitting from the existing route south of the city and veering west to cross the Red Deer and Blindman Rivers before rejoining the old highway north of Lacombe. The routing was somewhat of a surprise to residents, who had expected the new bypass to pass east of the city.[57] The previous route had been carrying 5,000 vehicles per day. The bypass opened on November 21, 1962.[58][39]:34 The previous segment of two-lane highway to the east, which had been carrying 5,000 vehicles per day prior to the opening of the expressway,[59] was renamed Highway 2A and now carries commuter traffic over the Blindman River between Blackfalds and Red Deer.

In northern Alberta, 1966 saw work begin on initial grading for Highway 2 in the vicinity of Peace River. The section from Hondo to Slave Lake was completed and opened to traffic on October 18, 1966. The 8-span, 125-metre (410 ft) bridge over the Peace River was completed in 1968.[39]:50 An interchange at the highway's DeWinton turnoff south of Calgary was planned for 1974.[60]

On May 23, 2005, the section between Calgary and Edmonton was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Highway in honour of Her Majesty's visit to Alberta as part of the province's centennial celebrations; the first road sign was personally unveiled by the Queen. It is the first highway in Canada to be named for the current Queen.[61] Twinning south of Calgary continued in the 1990s. A Highway 43 realignment in 1998 shortened Highway 2 by nearly 90 km (56 mi) to its current northern terminus in Grande Prairie; it previously extended west to British Columbia Highway 2 at the border. Several projects including median widening and interchange upgrades were completed in the 2010s that increased the safety of the highway's busier sections.

In the early morning hours of December 15, 2011, a Lethbridge man killed three people on Highway 2 immediately north of Claresholm. The man turned the gun on himself in a murder–suicide.[62]

Work began in 2016 to straighten the alignment of Highway 2 at the south end of Red Deer.[63][64] The project included demolition of an existing bridge and construction of four new bridges for Highway 2. A substandard curve was removed and straightened, and a left entrance to Highway 2 for southbound traffic from Gaetz Avenue was reconstructed to crossover to the west side of the highway before joining the southbound lanes from the right side in a more conventional configuration.[64] The existing bridges on this section of the highway had been constructed in 1962.[39]:35 The project was completed in 2018.[63]

Future

Southern Alberta

A freeway bypass of Nanton is proposed, where the two directions of Highway 2 are one-way streets, 160 m (520 ft) apart
Proposed bypasses of Nanton (top) and Claresholm (bottom)[65]

Highway 2 from Fort Macleod to south Edmonton is part of the CANAMEX Corridor, a divided highway with a combination of interchanges and several at-grade intersections except for a 50 km (31 mi) fully controlled access freeway section in Calgary. The only set of traffic lights on this CANAMEX section are in central Claresholm;[66] a bypass is proposed that would carry Highway 2 to the east of town on a new free-flowing alignment.[67] A similar bypass to the east of Nanton is also proposed.[68] A bypass of Fort Macleod has also been planned, tentatively designated as Highway 2X. It would be constructed in conjunction with a Highway 3 bypass of the town, making both routes free-flowing through the area.[69] Plans have also been drafted for significant reconstruction of the interchange of Highway 2 and Highway 23 near High River. The existing cloverleaf interchange was built in 1967 and does not meet the current standards in Alberta's Highway Design Guide.[70]

In Calgary, where Highway 2 (Deerfoot Trail) experiences heavy congestion at peak hours, a major planning study is underway to determine the best course of action for upgrades to the freeway.[71] In 2007, a study was completed by Alberta outlining plans for upgrades to the incomplete interchange of Glenmore Trail and Deerfoot Trail, one of the busiest road junctions in the province.[72] Stage 1 of the proposed improvements would correct a pinch point on Deerfoot Trail by constructing a new three lane bridge to carry the northbound lanes over Glenmore.[73] The southbound lanes would then be realigned on the existing bridges, such that Deerfoot Trail would be three lanes each way through the interchange, up from two.[72]

Central and northern Alberta

Planning is underway to convert the Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Calgary and Edmonton to a freeway.[74] Near Red Deer, traffic levels are close to 50,000 vehicles per day, and Alberta Transportation begins consideration of widening to six lanes when levels exceed 30,000 vehicles per day.[75] South of Airdrie, reconstruction of an existing interchange at Highway 566 is proposed,[76] and new interchanges have been planned at Township Roads 264 and 265 to support future development in the area.[77] Widening of the highway from four to six lanes between Airdrie and Crossfield is planned,[78] and between Highway 42 and Highway 597.[79]

Between Edmonton and Leduc, Alberta Transportation has drafted plans to construct a dual freeway system in conjunction with a second ring road approximately 8 km (5 mi) beyond Anthony Henday Drive.[80] The existing interchange at Highway 2A south of Leduc would be closed and reconstructed to modern standards further south. Between Edmonton and 41 Avenue SW, the highway would be realigned several hundred meters to the west to facilitate construction of a large interchange with the outer ring road.[81] The existing bridges at Airport Road, Highway 19, 41 Avenue SW, and Ellerslie Road have all been constructed with sufficient width to allow for construction of two additional sets of lanes.[82] In 2015, a planning study was completed outlining a new interchange at 65 Avenue in Leduc.[83] In northwest Edmonton, a planned extension of Ray Gibbon Drive will bypass St. Albert from Anthony Henday Drive to Highway 2. Upon completion of this road, Ray Gibbon Drive would be designated as Highway 2.[84] On June 1, 2020, work began on the first phase to twin Ray Gibbon Drive from 137 Avenue NW to just north of LeClair Way. An interchange at Cardiff Road is also planned, just south of Morinville.[85]

North of Morinville, Highway 2 is a lightly travelled two lane highway carrying well under 10,000 vehicles per day,[42] but in 2012 Alberta Transportation completed a study to plan for extension of twinning from Morinville to north of Highway 18 near Clyde.[86] In 2013, a study was completed analyzing possible truck bypasses of Athabasca, to the east and west of the current alignment.[87] A 2010 study assessed twinning of Highway 49 from Valleyview to Donnelly, and Highway 2 from Donnelly to south of Nampa.[88]

Major intersections

Rural/specialized municipalityLocationkm[89]miExitDestinations[90]Notes
Cardston CountyCarway0.00.0 US 89 south Browning, Great FallsContinuation into Montana
Canada–United States border at Piegan–Carway Border Crossing
5.43.4PAR 136 west Police Outpost Provincial Park
20.712.9 Hwy 501 south Del Bonita, Milk RiverSouth end of Hwy 501 concurrency
Cardston21.313.2Cardston Truck BypassUnsigned Hwy 501 north[11]
23.514.6 Hwy 501 west (9th Avenue)North end of Hwy 501 concurrency
25.015.5 Hwy 5 west / Cardston Truck Bypass Waterton ParkSouth end of Hwy 5 concurrency; unsigned Hwy 501 south
Blood I.R. No. 14825.816.0 Hwy 5 east Magrath, LethbridgeNorth end of Hwy 5 concurrency
41.425.7 Hwy 505 west GlenwoodSouth end of Hwy 505 concurrency
44.827.8 Hwy 505 east Spring CouleeNorth end of Hwy 505 concurrency
Stand Off55.034.2 Hwy 509 east Coalhurst
Cardston County
No major junctions
M.D. of Willow Creek No. 2675.246.7 Hwy 511 east
Fort Macleod84.452.4 Hwy 3 east (Crowsnest Highway) LethbridgeHwy 2 branches west;
south end of Hwy 3 concurrency;
south end of CANAMEX Corridor
85.753.3 Hwy 811 north (6th Avenue)
89.555.689 Hwy 3 west (Crowsnest Highway) Pincher Creek, Crowsnest PassHwy 2 branches north; north end of Hwy 3 concurrency
90.456.2Crosses Oldman River
91.556.9 Hwy 785 west Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Granum109.267.9 Hwy 519 east Nobleford, Picture Butte
Claresholm126.078.3 Hwy 520 Barons
126.978.950 AvenueTraffic signals
Stavely143.088.9 Hwy 527 west Willow Creek Provincial Park
149.592.9 Hwy 529 east Champion
Nanton165.5102.8 Hwy 533 west Chain Lakes Provincial ParkSouth end of Hwy 533 concurrency
166.9103.7 Hwy 533 east (18 Street) VulcanNorth end of Hwy 533 concurrency
↑ / ↓173.5107.8Township Road 170 / 722 AvenueFormer Hwy 2A
M.D. of Foothills No. 31179.9111.8674 Avenue E Cayley
183.2113.8 Hwy 540 west Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Freeway begins
High River192.9119.9194 Hwy 23 (12 Avenue SE) Blackie, VulcanSigned as exits 194A (east) and 194B (west)
194.8121.0(195)24 Street NESouthbound exit only
196.2121.9197498 Avenue E to Hwy 543 west Longview
201.4125.12021104 Drive E MazeppaSouthbound exit, northbound entrance
Aldersyde208.3129.4209 Hwy 7 west Okotoks, Black Diamond, Turner Valley
To Hwy 2A Aldersyde, High River
Hwy 547 east Mossleigh
221.6137.7222 Hwy 2A south De Winton, Okotoks
Hwy 552 east
South end of Hwy 2A concurrency
223.6138.9225 Macleod Trail (Hwy 2A north) to Hwy 1 (TCH) west City CentreNorth end of Hwy 2A concurrency; northbound exit, southbound entrance
South end of Deerfoot Trail
225.9140.4227Dunbow Road Heritage Pointe, De Winton
↑ / ↓228.2141.8Crosses Bow River
City of Calgary229.9142.9230212 Avenue SE
231.4143.8232 Cranston Avenue / Seton Boulevard South Health Campus
231.9–
234.5
144.1–
145.7
234 Stoney Trail (Hwy 201) Medicine Hat, EdmontonSigned as exits 234A (east) and 234B (west); exit 101 on Hwy 201; unsigned Hwy 22X
234BMcKenzie Lake Boulevard / Cranston BoulevardSouthbound exit, northbound entrance
233.6145.2236McKenzie Towne Boulevard / McKenzie Lake Boulevard
237.2147.4238130 Avenue SE
238.7148.3240Barlow Trail north
240.4149.424124 Street SE / Douglasdale Boulevard
241.6150.1Ivor Strong Bridge across Bow River
241.7–
242.6
150.2–
150.7
243Anderson Road / Bow Bottom Trail
243.7151.4245Southland Drive
244.6152.024611 Street SE – Shopping CentreSouthbound exit and entrance
245.5152.5247Heritage Drive / Glenmore Trail west – Shopping CentreNorthbound exit and entrance
246.7153.3248Glenmore TrailSouthbound signed as exits 248A (east) and 248B (west);
northbound traffic uses exit 247 to Glenmore Trail west;
unsigned Hwy 8 west
249.0154.7Calf Robe Bridge across Bow River
250.3155.5251Peigan Trail east / Barlow Trail south
253.0157.225417 Avenue SE east / Blackfoot Trail southFormer Hwy 1A east
254.6158.2256Memorial Drive City Centre
256.8159.6258 16 Avenue NE (Hwy 1 (TCH)) Banff, Medicine Hat
258.6160.726032 Avenue NE
260.3161.7261McKnight BoulevardSigned as exits 261A (east) and 261B (west)
262.0162.826364 Avenue NE
263.7163.9265Beddington Trail / 11 Street NENorthbound exit, southbound entrance
265.6165.0266 96 Avenue NE / Airport Trail Calgary International Airport
267.5166.2268 Country Hills Boulevard Delacour, Calgary International Airport
292.2–
271.4
181.6–
168.6
271 Stoney Trail (Hwy 201) Banff, Medicine Hat, LethbridgeExit 60 on Hwy 201
North end of Deerfoot Trail • South end of Queen Elizabeth II Highway
Rocky View CountyBalzac272.7169.4273CrossIron Drive CrossIron MillsNorthbound exit, southbound entrance
274.4170.5275 Hwy 566 Balzac, CrossIron Mills, Kathyrn
City of Airdrie279.3173.540 Avenue SW / Sharp Hill Way SEInterchange proposed; northbound exit, southbound entrance; anticipated opening 2024[91]
280.9174.5282Yankee Valley Boulevard
282.2175.4(284)East Lake CrescentNorthbound exit only
284.1176.5285 Hwy 567 (Veterans Boulevard) Cochrane, Irricana
Rocky View County293.8182.6295 Hwy 2A north Crossfield
Hwy 72 east Beiseker, Drumheller
303.9188.8305 Hwy 2A Crossfield, Carstairs, Acme
Mountain View County313.6194.9315 Hwy 581 Carstairs
325.0201.9326 Hwy 582 Didsbury
Olds339.5211.0340 Hwy 27 Sundre, Trochu, Three HillsSigned as exits 340A (east) and 340B (west)
Red Deer County352.2218.8353 Hwy 2A south OldsSouthbound exit only
Bowden355.5220.9357 Hwy 587 to Hwy 2A south Bowden
Innisfail364.0226.2365 Hwy 54 west Caroline
367.4228.3368 Hwy 2A north Penhold
Hwy 590 east Big Valley
Former Hwy 54 alignment
Township Road 362At-grade intersection
383.1238.0384 Hwy 42 Penhold, Pine Lake
Gasoline Alley389.7242.1391McKenzie Road
390.7242.8392Gasoline Alley East / Willow Street – Petrolia Industrial ParkNorthbound exit only
391.2243.1393Leva Avenue – Gasoline AlleySouthbound exit only
City of Red Deer392.7244.0394 Gaetz Avenue (Hwy 2A north) – City CentreNorthbound exit, southbound entrance
393.4244.4395 Taylor Drive (Hwy 2A south) Penhold
19 Street (Hwy 595 east) Delburne
Southbound signed as exits 395A (north) and 395B (south)
395.6245.839732nd Street / C&E Trail Red Deer College
398.2247.4Crosses Red Deer River
400.4248.8401 67 Street (Hwy 11) Stettler, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House
403.8250.9405 Hwy 11A Sylvan LakeNorthbound signed as exit 405A, southbound signed as exit 405B
Red Deer County
No major junctions
↑ / ↓408.7254.0Crosses Blindman River
Lacombe CountyBlackfalds410.8255.3412 Hwy 597 east Joffre
Lacombe421.3261.8422 Hwy 12 Gull Lake, Bentley, Stettler
430.1267.3431 Hwy 2A south Lacombe, StettlerSouth end of Hwy 2A concurrency
435.8270.8437 Hwy 2A north Ponoka, WetaskiwinNorth end of Hwy 2A concurrency
↑ / ↓438.1272.2439 Hwy 604 Morningside
Ponoka County444.6276.3446Matejka Road
445.8277.0447Gee RoadSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
446.8277.6Crosses Battle River
Ponoka448.9278.9450 Hwy 53 Rimbey, BashawSigned as exits 450A (east) and 450B (west)
461.2286.6462Menaik Road
↑ / ↓467.6290.6469 Hwy 611 Maskwacis
County of Wetaskiwin No. 10480.6298.6482 Hwy 13 Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Ma-Me-O Beach, WinfieldSigned as exits 482A (east) and 482B (west)
487.3302.8488Correction Line Road
495.8308.1497 Hwy 616 Millet, Mulhurst
Leduc County507.1315.1508Kavanagh, Glen Park District
City of Leduc514.4319.6516 Hwy 2A south Millet, Wetaskiwin
515.8320.5517 Hwy 39 west (50 Avenue) – Leduc City Centre, Calmar, Drayton Valley
516.8321.1519Leduc Business Sector (to 50 Street)Northbound exit and entrance
518.2322.051950 Street – Leduc Business SectorSouthbound exit, northbound entrance
519.7322.9521Leduc Business Sector (Sparrow Crescent)Northbound exit only
Leduc CountyNisku521.0323.7522 Airport Road / 10th Avenue Edmonton International Airport
524.4325.8525 Hwy 19 west Devon
Hwy 625 east (20th Avenue) Beaumont
Truck bypass to Hwy 16 (TCH) west
↑ / ↓531.2330.1North end of Queen Elizabeth II Highway • South end of Calgary Trail (southbound) and Gateway Boulevard (northbound)
City of Edmonton53241 Avenue SW
534.6332.2(535)Ellerslie RoadNo access to/from Anthony Henday Drive
534.7–
536.7
332.2–
333.5
(536) Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216) Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Jasper, LloydminsterNorth end of CANAMEX Corridor; exit 78 on Hwy 216; northbound left exit
537.1333.7(537)19 Avenue NWNo southbound entrance
537.9334.2(538)23 Avenue NW
538.6334.7Freeway ends, splits into one-way road pair
539.4335.234 Avenue NW
540.9336.1 Whitemud Drive (Hwy 14 east) to Hwy 16 (TCH) east Wainwright
Gateway Boulevard City Centre
Hwy 2 branches west
North end of Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard • East end of Whitemud Drive • Freeway begins
541.7336.6106 Street
542.6337.2111 Street
544.2338.2119 Street / 122 Street
545.1338.7Rainbow Valley Bridge across Whitemud Creek
546.1339.3Terwillegar DriveLeft exit
547.0339.953 AvenueNo access to/from Terwillegar Drive
548.6340.9Fox Drive
548.9341.1Quesnell Bridge across North Saskatchewan River
550.1341.8149 StreetNo eastbound exit
551.3342.6159 StreetConnects to 156 Street
552.5343.3170 Street West Edmonton MallFormer alignment of Hwy 2
553.5343.9178 Street West Edmonton Mall
555.4345.118[lower-roman 1] Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216 south)
Whitemud Drive west to Hwy 628 west
Hwy 2 branches north;
south end of unsigned segment;
south end of Hwy 216 hidden concurrency
West end of Whitemud Drive • South end of Anthony Henday Drive
556.6345.919[lower-roman 1]87 Avenue / Webber Greens Drive West Edmonton Mall
558.3346.921[lower-roman 1] Stony Plain Road (Hwy 16A west) Spruce Grove, Stony Plain
100 Avenue City Centre
562.3349.425[lower-roman 1]
378[lower-roman 2]
Yellowhead Trail (Hwy 16 (TCH) west) Jasper
Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216 north)
Unsigned Hwy 2 branches east;
south end of Hwy 216 hidden concurrency;
south (west) end of Hwy 16 hidden concurrency
North end of Anthony Henday Drive • West end of Yellowhead Trail
563.8350.3379[lower-roman 2]184 Street
565.4351.3381[lower-roman 2]170 StreetFormer alignment of Hwy 2
567.2352.4383[lower-roman 2]156 Street
Freeway ends
568.0352.9149 Street
569.4353.8381[lower-roman 2]St. Albert Trail
Yellowhead Trail (Hwy 16 (TCH) east) Lloydminster
Hwy 2 branches north;
south end of unsigned segment;
north (east) end of Hwy 16 hidden concurrency
East end of Yellowhead Trail • South end of St. Albert Trail
571.7355.2137 Avenue
573.5356.4156 Street / Campbell Road
574.4356.9 Anthony Henday Drive (Hwy 216)Exit 31 on Hwy 216
City of St. Albert575.1357.4Gervais Road / Hebert Road
577.0358.5St. Anne Street / Sturgeon Road – Downtown
577.1358.6Crosses Sturgeon River
577.8359.0McKenney Avenue / Bellerose Drive
579.1359.8Giroux Road / Boudreau Road
579.5360.1 Villeneuve Road (Hwy 633 west) / Erin Ridge Road Villeneuve
582.2361.8North end of St. Albert Trail
Sturgeon County586.1364.2 Hwy 37 Fort Saskatchewan, OnowayInterchange
Morinville592.7368.3Cardiff RoadInterchange proposed (no construction timeline)
596.1370.4 Hwy 642 (100 Avenue) Sandy BeachInterchange
612.7380.7 Hwy 651 Busby, Legal
Westlock County626.1389.0UAR 79 east Vimy
635.8395.1 Hwy 18 west Westlock, Barrhead
To Hwy 44 Slave Lake, Peace River
Hwy 2 branches east; south (west) end of Hwy 18 concurrency
Clyde637.3396.0 Hwy 18 east ThorhildHwy 2 turns north; north (east) end of Hwy 18 concurrency
656.2407.7UAR 170 east Tawatinaw
664.6413.0 Hwy 661 Dapp, Rochester
Athabasca County692.4430.2 Hwy 663 west FawcettSouth end of Hwy 663 concurrency
695.1431.9 Hwy 663 east BoyleNorth end of Hwy 663 concurrency
Athabasca708.9440.5 50 Avenue (Hwy 55 east) Lac La Biche, Cold Lake
To Hwy 813 Calling Lake, Wabasca-Desmarais
To Hwy 63 Fort McMurray
Hwy 2 branches west; Northern Woods and Water Route follows Hwy 55 east
East end of Northern Woods and Water Route
722.9449.2 Hwy 812 west Baptiste LakeHwy 2 branches north, then turns west
M.D. of Lesser Slave River No. 124781.1485.4 Hwy 44 south Westlock, EdmontonHwy 2 branches north
784.3487.3 Hwy 2A north Hondo, SmithHwy 2 turns west
787.5489.3Crosses Athabasca River
Slave Lake839.2521.5 Hwy 88 north (Bicentennial Highway) Wabasca-Desmarais, Red Earth Creek, Fort Vermilion, High Level
840.5522.3Main Street S
859.3533.9UAR 124 north Widewater
862.5535.9UAR 167 north Canyon Creek
Big Lakes County881.9548.0 Hwy 33 south (Grizzly Trail) Swan Hills
886.9551.1UAR 125 north Kinuso
899.1558.7UAR 170 north Faust
921.4572.5UAR 166 north Joussard
939.6583.8 Hwy 750 north Grouard, Red Earth Creek
944.6586.9UAR 174 south Enilda
High Prairie956.2594.2 48 Street (Hwy 749)
970.9603.3 Hwy 2A west ValleyviewHwy 2 branches north
M.D. of Smoky River No. 130991.9616.3 Hwy 679 Winagami Lake Provincial Park
McLennan1,005.7624.9Centre Street N
Donnelly1,018.6632.9UAR 136 north
1,020.2633.9 Hwy 49 Valleyview, Edmonton, Falher, RycroftHwy 2 branches north; Northern Woods and Water Route follows Hwy 49 west
West end of Northern Woods and Water Route
Northern Sunrise CountyNampa1,055.8656.0 Hwy 683 west Marie Reine
1,074.6667.7 Hwy 688 north St. Isidore
Town of Peace River1,082.3672.5 Hwy 744 south (100 Street) – Town Centre, GirouxvilleInterchange
1,082.7672.898 Street – Town CentreInterchange; eastbound exit, westbound entrance
1,083.1–
1,083.6
673.0–
673.3
Peace River Bridge across Peace River
1,084.3673.8 Hwy 684 south (Shaftesbury Trail)Interchange
1,086.2674.9 Hwy 743 north (74 Street)
M.D. of Peace No. 1351,092.7679.0 Passes Peace River Airport
1,094.3680.0 Hwy 2A south Grimshaw
1,102.5685.1 Hwy 35 north (Mackenzie Highway) Manning, High Level, Northwest TerritoriesHwy 2 branches south
North end of Mackenzie Highway
1,104.1686.1PAR 106 west Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park
Grimshaw1,107.1687.9 Hwy 2A east (55 Avenue) Peace RiverMile Zero of Mackenzie Highway
South end of Mackenzie Highway
1,107.3688.0 Hwy 685 west (50 Avenue) Hines Creek
1,110.5690.0 Hwy 684 east Peace River, Shaftesbury FerryHwy 2 turns west
Berwyn1,119.4695.6UAR 238 north
Brownvale1,129.3701.7 Hwy 737 north
M.D. of Fairview No. 136Whitelaw1,143.1710.3 Hwy 735 north
Bluesky1,155.1717.7UAR 214 north
Fairview1,164.9723.8 Hwy 732 north (113 Street)
Hwy 64A west Hines Creek, Fort St. John
Hwy 2 branches south
1,176.6731.1 Hwy 64 north Hines Creek, Fort St. John
Dunvegan1,190.2–
1,190.8
739.6–
739.9
Dunvegan Bridge across Peace River
M.D. of Spirit River No. 133Rycroft1,210.7752.3 Hwy 49 (NWWR) Donnelly, Spirit River, Dawson Creek
Saddle Hills County1,227.3762.6 Hwy 677 eastNorth end of Hwy 677 concurrency
1,228.9763.6 Hwy 677 west WokingSouth end of Hwy 677 concurrency
County of Grande Prairie No. 11,256.2780.6 Hwy 59 west La Glace
Hwy 674 east Teepee Creek
Sexsmith1,258.6782.1100 AvenueSexsmith north access
1,259.4782.695 AvenueSexsmith south access
1,263.1784.9 Hwy 672 west Hythe
Clairmont1,269.6788.9100 Avenue
1,272.9790.9 Hwy 43 Valleyview, Edmonton, Beaverlodge, Dawson CreekInterchange; former northern terminus;
section part of Hwy 43 from 1998-2019
City of Grande Prairie1,275.3792.4Grande Prairie city limitsNorthern terminus;[40] becomes 100 Street
1,276.1792.9 132 Avenue (Hwy 670 east) Bezanson
1,277.7793.9116 Avenue
100 Street – City Centre
Former Hwy 2 branches west onto 116 Avenue
1,279.2794.9108 Street  / 106 StreetFormer Hwy 2 turns south, becomes 108 Street
1,280.7795.8100 Avenue – City Centre
108 Street (Hwy 40 south) Grande Cache, Hinton
Former Hwy 2 branches west onto 100 Avenue
1,291.5802.5 Hwy 43 Edmonton, Dawson Creek, AlaskaInterchange proposed; continues as Hwy 43 west
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
() - Exit not officially numbered
  1. Hwy 216 exit number
  2. Hwy 16 exit number

See also

Notes

  1. Average between northbound length of 1,272 km (790 mi)[1] and southbound length of 1,274 km (792 mi)[2]
  2. Officially, the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QEII) refers only to the section between the northern Calgary city limit at Stoney Trail (Highway 201) and the southern Edmonton city limit at 41 Avenue SW.

References

  1. Google (November 15, 2016). "Northbound length of Highway 2 in Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  2. Google (January 14, 2017). "Southbound length of Highway 2 in Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  3. "Primary Highway renumbering to take place in the Peace Region" (Press release). Government of Alberta. February 24, 1998. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. Kozicka, Patricia (November 28, 2014). "Officers 'overwhelmed' by QEII crashes; travel on Alberta highways still not recommended". Global News. Archived from the original on February 17, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016. Eaten said two main problems he sees on the roads are people going too fast and following too close. He also believes winter tires are crucial in this kind of weather.
  5. "Government of Alberta—CANAMEX Trade corridor". Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved June 22, 2006.
  6. Google (November 5, 2016). "Highway 2 in southern Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  7. Google (November 4, 2016). "Highway 2 at the United States border" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  8. Alberta Official Road Map (Map) (2010 ed.). Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
  9. "Provincial Highway 1-216 Progress Chart" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. March 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  10. "Intersection Assessment: Highway 23/519" (PDF). AMEC Environment & Infrastructure. Lethbridge. February 2013. p. 6. Retrieved November 5, 2016. This route is now a popular shortcut for motorists wishing to bypass the town of Fort MacLeod...
  11. "Provincial Highways 500 - 986 Progress Chart" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. March 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  12. Google (October 23, 2016). "Deerfoot Trail in south Calgary" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  13. "Calgary - Community Association Boundaries". Calgary Public Library - Digital Library. Calgary - Potential Heritage Conservation Sites. 1977. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  14. Google (May 2016). "Bypass signage". Google Street View. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  15. Google (October 27, 2016). "Deerfoot Trail in north Calgary" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  16. Google (November 15, 2016). "QEII Highway Length" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  17. For a partial list of businesses in Gasoline Alley, see "Gasoline Alley East". August 22, 2016. Archived from the original on September 25, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  18. Google (June 2015). "Highway 2 splitting to Gaetz Avenue in Red Deer, Alberta". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  19. Google (June 2016). "Highway 2 across the Red Deer River". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  20. Google (August 2015). "Highway 2 across the Battle River". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  21. Google (November 5, 2016). "Highway 2 in central Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  22. Google (September 2015). "Highway 2 near Edmonton International Airport". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  23. Google (October 28, 2016). "Highway 2 in Edmonton" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  24. Google (September 2015). "Highway 2 at Anthony Henday Drive". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  25. Mertz, Emily (August 4, 2015). "Whitemud Drive speed suggestion project aims to improve traffic flow". Global News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  26. Google (November 15, 2016). "Northern Woods and Water Route section of Alberta Highway 2" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  27. Google (October 28, 2016). "Highway 2/18 near Clyde and Westlock, Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  28. Google (October 2012). "Highway 2 near Colinton, Alberta". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  29. Google (November 6, 2016). "Highway 2 in Athabasca, Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  30. Microsoft Streets and Tips (Map) (2004 ed.). Microsoft Corporation Redmond Washington.
  31. "Northern Woods and Water Route, Canada". PlanetWare Inc. 1995–2009. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009.
  32. Google (September 2013). "Athabasca River from Alberta Highway 2 west of Athabasca". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  33. Google (October 2015). "Highway 2 in High Prairie, Alberta". Google Street View. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  34. Google (November 10, 2016). "Highway 2 near Donnelly, Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  35. Google (July 2013). "Highway 2 near Lac Magloire, Alberta". Google Street View. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  36. Google (July 2013). "Highway 2 descending into Peace River, Alberta". Google Street View. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  37. Google (November 5, 2016). "Highway 2 in northern Alberta" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  38. Google (November 14, 2016). "Dunvegan Bridge" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  39. "Transportation Infrastructure Management System - Existing Structures in the Provincial Highway Corridor" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. September 28, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  40. "2019 Provincial Highways 1 – 216 Series Progress Chart". Alberta Transportation. March 2019.
  41. "ALBERTA HIGHWAYS 1 TO 986 / TRAFFIC VOLUME, VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION, TRAVEL and ESAL STATISTICS REPORT / 2019" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. March 10, 2020. p. 36-37. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  42. CornerStone Solutions Inc. (February 17, 2017). "Alberta Highways 1 to 986 - Traffic Volume History 2007 - 2016" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. pp. 5–16. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  43. Gerson, Jen (March 21, 2013). "Huge multi-vehicle pile-up injures 100 people near Edmonton". National Post.
  44. "Deerfoot remains Calgary's most dangerous road". 660 News. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016. Recent crash statistics reinforce the fact, that Deerfoot Trail is the most likely road in the city, where people will be involved in a crash.
  45. "Aircraft Patrol Zones" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. February 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2016.
  46. "RCMP back in the air to nab speeders on Alberta highways". CBC News. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  47. Weismiller, Bryan (May 9, 2014). "Look out speeders: Alberta highway cops expanding aerial patrol zones". Metro News. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  48. Platt, Michael (August 25, 2013). "Alberta Mounties, sheriffs targeting highway horrors from the sky". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016. "Observing from the air really gives you a chance to see the big picture, and really pick out vehicles travelling faster for a long period of time, as well as other dangerous manoeuvres," said [Sheriff Jason] Graw... aboard the Eurocopter AS350...
  49. Parsons, Paige (August 25, 2016). "Leduc's mayor proposes using photo radar to reduce accidents on section of Queen Elizabeth II Highway". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  50. Dias, Thomas (August 25, 2016). "Leduc looking at setting up photo radar on Highway 2". 630 News. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  51. "Leduc mayor wants photo radar on QE2". CBC News. August 26, 2016. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  52. "Collision Facts" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  53. Placenames of Alberta. "The naming along the Calgary - Edmonton Trail". Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  54. Ward, Tom (1975). Cowtown : an album of early Calgary. Calgary: City of Calgary Electric System, McClelland and Stewart West. p. 222. ISBN 0-7712-1012-4. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  55. "Motor roads in Western Canada and United States connections leading to Calgary & Canadian Rockies (21 MB)". Alberta Development Board. 1929. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2016 via University of Calgary.
  56. Department of Public Works (1939). "Highway Map of Province of Alberta Canada" (PDF). Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  57. "City Bypass Surprise: Road Going West". Red Deer Advocate. September 16, 1960. p. 1, 11. Retrieved May 23, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  58. "$1 Million Contracts Awarded For Highway Work In District". November 22, 1962. p. 3. Retrieved May 23, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  59. "Hwy 2A improvements target bridge, overpass". July 28, 1988. p. 1B. Retrieved May 23, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  60. "Heavy roadwork plan set for '74". Calgary Herald. February 28, 1974. Retrieved May 26, 2020 via Newspapers.com. Construction of an interchange at DeWinton turn-off from Highway 2 and widening of that highway south of Calgary.
  61. "Highway 2 receives 'Royal' treatment". Alberta Transportation. May 23, 2005. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016. Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary is now known as the Queen Elizabeth II Highway.
  62. "Claresholm Highway Murders: Anniversary Of Roadside Shooting That Claimed 4 Lives". Huffington Post. February 14, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  63. "New Highway 2/Gaetz Ave. Interchange officially opens". rdnewsNOW.com. November 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  64. "New Red Deer interchange part of $7B in highway projects Notley says will bring jobs". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  65. For the Claresholm bypass, see "Town of Claresholm - Municipal Development Plan" (PDF). UMA Engineering Ltd. Lethbridge: Town of Claresholm. March 2007. p. 33. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  66. "Lights go out from Claresholm to Edmonton". Alberta Transportation. October 7, 2005. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  67. Armfelt, Cory; Waiguru, Maina. "Claresholm - Building a Sustainable Community" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 15, 2016. A long-term plan to relocate Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway) so that it no longer runs directly through the town is central to Claresholm's planning. Within the next five to 10 years, a highway bypass is expected to be located about 800 metres from the downtown area.
  68. "M.D. approves concept of four bypass interchanges". Nanton News. February 15, 2005. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016. The Municipal District of Willow Creek has accepted in principle the proposed locations of four interchanges when Highway 2 becomes a freeway...
    • For land acquisition concerns, see "Candidates talk about Highway 2 realignment". Nanton News. February 20, 2008. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016. ...several open houses in all have occurred in the communities that would be affected by the Highway 2 realignment... The land for the highway realignment has been officially designated...
    • For a possible construction timeline, see Patterson, Jessica (March 17, 2009). "No news of highway plans frustrate town". Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016. [Mayor] Blake believes it may be as many as 10 years [2019] before construction begins... The provincial government conducted a study of the proposed bypass in 2006, which recommended constructing an interchange with access to Nanton at Highway 533.
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  70. For the interchange reconfiguration plan, see "Highway 23 Network Review and Highway 2 Interchange Reconfiguration - Final Report" (PDF). March 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
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  74. "Highway 2 Corridor Improvement Study" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
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  76. "Proposed Interchange - Highway 2 & Highway 566" (PDF). 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  77. For the Township Road 264 proposal, see "Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QEII) and Township Road 264 - Interchange Functional Planning Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
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  79. "Functional Planning Study – Highway 2 – from Highway 42 to Highway 597" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. October 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016. The Highway 2 Planning Study, from Highway 42 to Highway 597 has identified the recommended improvements required for Highway 2 to be widened to six and ultimately eight lanes within the study limits.
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  82. Google (September 2015). "Extra wide Highway 2 median at Highway 19". Google Street View. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
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  84. "Alberta Transportation: Planning in the Capital Region" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016. [Ray Gibbon Drive is] identified [as] an ultimate freeway corridor, which includes limited highway access & interchange locations.
  85. "Edmonton & Area Provincial Highway Projects". Alberta Transportation. July 22, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2016. Planning has been completed for an Interchange at Highway 2 and Cardiff Road. Project is outside the departments three-year construction program.
  86. "Highway 2:36 - North of Morinville to North of Highway 18 - Functional Planning Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. June 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  87. "Athabasca Truck Route Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. June 25, 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  88. "Highways 2/49 - Functional Planning Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
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  90. MapArt Publishing (2005). Alberta Road Atlas (2005 ed.). Oshawa, ON: MapArt Publishing. pp. 32, 33, 34, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 56, 64, 70, 76, and 82.
  91. "40 Ave. and QEII Highway Interchange". City of Airdrie. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
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