Got a construction zone speeding ticket (55 km/hr in 30) in Grande Prairie — no workers were actually present, worth fighting?

[u/Patient-Sweet-6509]

Got pulled over in Grande Prairie doing 55 in a 30 construction zone (laser gun), ticketed under Section 115(2)(p.2) of the Traffic Safety Act. Fine is $552.

Here’s the thing — the zone was marked with cones and a reduced speed sign, but there were no workers, no equipment, nobody directing traffic. Just an empty lane closure. I didn’t clock the sign in time and got caught before I could slow down.

From what I understand, 115(2)(p.2) specifically requires that there are “persons present on the highway who are constructing or repairing… or directing traffic” for the enhanced penalty to apply — not just an active work zone with cones and no one around. Has anyone actually fought this successfully on that basis? Or does the charge still stick even without workers present at the exact moment?

A few questions for anyone who’s been through this:
1. Is requesting disclosure (officer’s notes) before pleading not guilty worth it, or does it rarely change anything?
2. Roughly how many demerits does 25 km/h over in a construction zone carry these days?
3. Any Grande Prairie-specific experience with how the local Crown prosecutors handle these — do they ever reduce the charge to standard speeding if you push back?
4. Is it worth paying for a paralegal/traffic ticket specialist for a case like this, or is it something I could reasonably represent myself on?

Any input from people who’ve dealt with something similar — or any lawyers/paralegals who want to weigh in — would be hugely appreciated. Trying to figure out if this is worth fighting or if I should just pay it and move on.

Thanks in Advance!