Bell: Smith's road boss 'shocked' as 72% back upping speed limit

The ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton would not see a speed limit increase. What is Dreeshen hearing from those folks he represents? “It’s about darn time,” he says. As for his colleagues in the Smith government, Dreeshen says they are very supportive. He’s even talked to NDP members of the legislature who like the speed limit going up. He adds it will be interesting to hear from UCP members when the party gathers for its yearly get-together at the end of the month in Edmonton. Many will be driving on divided highways to get there. On Wednesday, the UCP sends a note from Dreeshen to party members. Dreeshen asks the party faithful for their thoughts on highway speed limits. The UCP point man on pavement says when you’re driving on rural divided highways “you feel the speed limit in a real way.” “You know where 110 feels slow. You know where the road could handle more,” writes Dreeshen. So it looks like Alberta is headed for a higher speed limit on divided highways. Blaise Boehmer, a noted political deep thinker, suggests Alberta’s new Strong and Free licence plate could read: Strong and Free — and Fast. Full speed ahead.