Safety concerns prompt Ministry of Transportation review of Highway 23 corridor in Lethbridge County

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

A Lethbridge County resident is raising concerns over a private access to Highway 23, east of Monarch. 

In a letter to Lethbridge County councillors this summer, Kim Laing asked for the county’s support in helping address safety concerns related to highway access from a private dirt roadway onto the divided highway south of the Monarch overpass. 

Lethbridge County councillors reviewed the letter at the Aug. 14 regular council meeting where they approved to have administration send a letter to Laing informing her of their response, and a letter to Alberta Transportation noting the safety concerns. 

“It’s such a hazard. It’s mind-blowing to me that something hasn’t been done before now,” said Laing, a paramedic for close to 20 years with the Nobleford and District Emergency Services. “I know I am not the only person that has expressed concerns with that. Somebody is going to die. I have no doubt about it.”  

Laing’s safety concerns come after several close calls in recent years, for her and others, as she detailed in her letter to Lethbridge County councillors. She pointed out the private dirt road access is unmarked, unsanctioned and illegal. 

“Nowhere in our province is it legally allowed to have a private dirt road having public access onto a double lane highway or to cut through the meridian of a four-lane highway with the exception of emergency vehicles,” explained Laing.         

Although the private road access has been in place for several years, Laing previously contacted the ministry of transportation and economic corridors with her concerns but never received a response. She later reached out to Division 5 county councillor Kevin Slomp with a letter, which he brought to council’s attention. 

When contacted by Southern Alberta Newspapers, Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen acknowledged a letter from Lethbridge County and provided a statement regarding the situation, promising to review the corridor and ensure proper steps are taken to address the safety concerns. 

“I have received correspondence regarding safety concerns on Highway 23 south of the Monarch overpass,” said Dreeshen. “While there is no known collision history at the access road in question, the ministry will be reviewing the corridor to ensure it aligns with provincial design guidelines, including appropriate signage. We take all feedback seriously and will continue working with local officials and residents to make sure Alberta’s roads remain safe for everyone.” 

The minister also provided a letter with a similar message to Lethbridge County council, dated Sept. 4. 

Laing said the situation is not about the property owner and she has no concerns with the people who operate the feedlot with the private dirt road access, as the situation has existed for many years. She pointed out the owner has access to their property from the old highway on Westview Road. 

The Alberta Traffic Safety Act states regulations surrounding highway access when there is a four-lane divided highway, noted Laing. 

“Any accesses that are not designated accesses, there’s not supposed to be direct access (to the highway),” she said. “In the last number of years, the amount of large vehicles such as cattle liners, manure spreaders and transport semis that are utilizing (this) access from the highway has increased.”

Laing said she pleased to see the county following-up with her concerns, helping her advocate to the Alberta government to have the private road access permanently closed for the safety of all drivers.  

“That is not (on) the owner, it’s the government that is the issue here,” said Laing. “It’s the provincial government that needs to step up here to make that roadway safe.”