Highway 2 and 338 Avenue near Okotoks among Alberta's worst intersections for safety
Alberta's transportation minister says the deadly intersection is one of the most unsafe in the province and the government is pushing to fund an overpass in next year's budget.
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The Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors will "keep fighting and advocating" to build an overpass at a deadly highway intersection near Okotoks that has claimed at least three lives in recent years.
Highway 2 and 338 Avenue, south of Calgary in Foothills County, is "one of the most unsafe" intersections in Alberta, according to Minister Devin Dreeshen, who discussed the safety concerns during a roundtable with rural media on August 11. Accidents are frequent at the at-grade crossing, with at least three fatal crashes in recent years, including a deadly T-bone collision in July.
An interchange has long been called for at the intersection to improve safety and accommodate growing traffic volumes. Planning work has been underway for several years, but no construction funding has been announced. The province estimates an interchange could cost $120 million, based on a 2023 assessment. The Province has previously said construction may start in 2028, depending on budget approval.
Dreeshen said the ministry will push to have construction money included in next year's budget. "In a perfect world, in budget '26, we would have seen construction dollars for that intersection," he said.
Foothills County Reeve Rob Siewert said the county is asking for the interchange to "be built sooner, not later." "Foothills is deeply concerned about the slow progress being made," Siewert said in a statement.
Dreeshen credited Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson, the minister of affordability and utilities, as a strong supporter of the project who has "advocated vigorously to make sure that this project finally crosses the line." Sigurdson did not answer questions about the status of the interchange; his office referred them to the Ministry of Transportation.
The minister pointed to growing traffic as a reason the intersection is becoming more dangerous: 400,000 more drivers are on Alberta roads compared to six years ago, mostly in the Calgary area. "We're seeing a lot more people that have moved into those areas and are commuting on a daily basis," Dreeshen said.
Efforts to improve safety before a full interchange is built have had mixed results. Medians at three at-grade intersections on Highway 2, including at 338 Avenue, were set to be closed in summer 2023 to stop traffic from crossing, but the plan was abandoned following pushback. Some improvements were made at the 338 Avenue intersection in 2025, including longer acceleration lanes for traffic entering the highway, but Siewert said serious crashes continue despite the upgrades.
Will the province include $120 million for the interchange in the 2027 budget?
Given the deadly crashes in July 2026 and earlier, what interim safety measures will be deployed while waiting for construction approval?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
How many fatal crashes have occurred at Highway 2 and 338 Avenue near Okotoks?
At least three fatal crashes have occurred at the Highway 2 and 338 Avenue intersection south of Calgary in recent years, including a deadly T-bone collision in July 2026.
What is the estimated cost of an overpass at this intersection?
The province estimates an interchange at Highway 2 and 338 Avenue could cost $120 million, based on a 2023 assessment.
When might construction start on the interchange?
The province has previously said construction at Highway 2 and 338 Avenue may start in 2028, depending on budget approval.
What safety improvements were made at the intersection in 2025?
Some improvements were made at the Highway 2 and 338 Avenue intersection in 2025, including longer acceleration lanes for traffic entering the highway, though serious crashes have continued despite the upgrades.
