Things are speeding up on Whoop-Up Drive

By Lethbridge Herald on October 10, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Westside commuters will now have a slightly faster way to get across Whoop-Up Drive as speed limits increase, and lane reductions will only apply to the bridge deck. 

The City of Lethbridge announced Thursday that starting today, motorists will see some changes on both directions of Whoop-Up Drive. While the speed limit over the bridge remains at 50 km/h, westbound traffic will see speed increase to 70 km/h downhill and uphill, with lane reduction to two lanes on the east end of the bridge and back to three lanes after the bridge going uphill. 

Heavy trucks, excluding standard pickup trucks, are still restricted from travelling westbound on Whoop-Up Drive but are permitted eastbound. 

Eastbound traffic will see a speed increase to 70 km/h downhill, with lane reduction at the halfway point of the bridge, and a speed increase to 60 km/h uphill after the bridge with three lanes open. 

Richard Brummund, road and infrastructure manager with the City of Lethbridge said Thursday that although all the scheduled maintenance is now complete, the two inner lanes of the bridge will remain close for now. 

“We increased the speed limit to what we could, but we are still protecting the bridge and damaged girders and that is why is still 50 km/h across the bridge,” said Brummund. 

He said that even though is uncertain when the girders will be fixed, in the next week or two the consultants will be finalizing their design. 

“There is lots of calculations and the contractor is getting ready to once he gets those drawings and materials, so he can start the repairs,” said Brummund. 

A schedule for the repairs will be shared once finalized and, in the meantime, Brummund says he hopes motorist continue to be patient and continue to be mindful of the speed limits. 

Several signs will display the updated speed limits, and the city is encouraging motorists to exercise caution and follow the posted signs when crossing the bridge.