RCMP To Step Up Speed Enforcement On Mînî Thnî Road After Safety Concerns

RCMP have started more patrols and speed checks on Mînî Thnî Road (Highway 133X) through the Mînî Thnî community after complaints about drivers speeding, including concerns raised about trucks and construction vehicles. 

Cochrane RCMP Staff Sgt. Fournier said that speeding prompted the extra enforcement. He said it has already started and he has not set an end date.

Fournier said Nation members and Stoney Nakoda leadership asked police to step in. He said RCMP are working with Nakoda Emergency Services and Stoney Nakoda leadership as part of the response.

The road also carries significant regional traffic. Many Bow Valley residents use Mînî Thnî Road as a shortcut to access Ghost Lake and Cochrane directly from Highway 1, rather than driving east to Highway 22 before heading north. That added commuter and recreational traffic may contribute to higher vehicle volumes moving through the settlement.

Fournier also said police have not received reports of serious incidents tied to speeding on this road in the past year or two.

Bow Valley Insider asked for more details and to confirm the posted speed limit through the community, where it changes and how many tickets police have issued so far. Fournier did not answer those questions in his initial response.

A notice posted by Nakoda Emergency Management says enforcement will focus on drivers exceeding the posted 50 km/h limit through the townsite. The speed limit drops from 80 km/h to 50 km/h when entering the Mînî Thnî settlement from both the North and South access points. 

How to report dangerous driving:

For emergencies, call 911. To report a non-emergency crime or speak with an officer in Alberta, RCMP say residents can call 310-RCMP (7267). The Stoney Nakoda RCMP detachment administration line is 403-881-2828 (Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.).