Construction projects

For information about Alberta highway conditions visit 511 Alberta, call 1-855-391-9743 toll-free, or dial 511 (inside Alberta only). For British Columbia highway conditions visit Drive BC or call 1-800-550-4997 toll-free.

Construction projects in the mountain national parks

While in Banff National Park, you may encounter one or more construction zones. To help you plan your visit, please see below for a list of current and upcoming projects. This is not an exhaustive list of infrastructure projects underway. Only projects that may impact visitors are listed. 

Parks Canada’s federal infrastructure investment program

Parks Canada’s federal infrastructure investment program

Parks Canada will invest $3 billion over 5 years to support infrastructure improvements within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. This historic investment supports conservation while promoting visitor experience and making our infrastructure safer and more appealing to visitors.

A significant amount of Parks Canada’s existing highway infrastructure assets require action now, and the paving projects, rock and slope stabilisation, and rehabilitation of bridges planned as part of this historic investment will ensure safe and reliable roads while protecting the ecological and cultural integrity of our national treasures; the continued flow of commercial goods through these vital East-West corridors; and an improved visitor experience for the almost five million visitors to the mountain national parks each year.

As one of the largest federal custodians, Parks Canada manages a variety of real property and infrastructure assets. In Banff National Park, the infrastructure portfolio is wide-ranging and includes assets such as highways, bridges, contemporary and historic buildings, trails, campgrounds, water and wastewater treatment facilities, visitor centres and operations compounds.

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Highways

For road conditions and current highway construction in Alberta, visit Alberta 511 or dial 511 (inside Alberta only). For highways in British Columbia, visit Drive BC or call 1-800-550-4997.

Trans-Canada Highway

No significant disruptions to visitors or motorists are expected. Projects and timelines are subject to change. Updates will be provided as projects and timelines are confirmed.

Bow Valley Parkway

No significant disruptions to visitors or motorists are expected. Projects and timelines are subject to change. Seasonal closures or restrictions may be in place to protect wildlife. Please review these before visiting the park.

Highway 93 South

Expect periodic increased traffic volumes as motorists from the Trans-Canada Highway are being diverted through Kootenay National Park due to scheduled highway improvements west of Yoho National Park. Visit BC MOTI's Kicking Horse Canyon Project for dates and more information.

Icefields Parkway

Nigel Creek bridge rehabilitation

An aging bridge will be rehabilitated to improve motorist safety on the Icefields Parkway. 

  • Location: Highway 93N, 30 km north of Saskatchewan River Crossing
  • Estimated dates: May until September 2022
  • Traffic impacts: Work underway 7 days per week during daylight hours. No work on long weekends. Expect single lane alternating traffic, speed reductions and delays up to 20 minutes in peak periods 

Day-use areas and other sites

Fall 2022: September to November

Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway areas

Lake Louise Wastewater Treatment Plant – Rehabilitation work at the Lake Louise Wastewater Treatment Plant continues in 2022. Increased construction traffic should be expected.

Bow Lake Day Use Area – Privy construction at the Bow Lake Day Use Area begins in mid-September through early November 2022. Access to this area will be closed to the public. However, the privies and the road to Bow Lake North (The Lodge at Bow Lake) will remain open and available. Expect increased construction traffic.

Johnston Canyon Trail

Starting in August 2022, the pedestrian railing located on the Johnston Canyon Trail from the Lower Falls to the Upper Falls will be replaced and extended.

When: From August 15, 2022 to late fall 2022.

Where: Johnston Canyon Trail – Lower Falls to Upper Falls. View Important Bulletin, here.

Why: Infrastructure improvements to the Johnston Canyon railings will enhance accessibility, improve visitor safety and reduce disturbance of the endangered Black Swifts nesting in Johnston Canyon. Railings will encourage visitors to stay on the designated trail and reframe from trampling on surrounding vegetation.

Trails:

  • The lower portion of the Johnston Canyon Trail from the parking lot to the Lower Falls will remain open and accessible to the public.
  • The upper portion of the trail between the Lower Falls and Upper Falls, will be closed and there will be no access to the Upper Falls nor other trails.
  • The trail leading to Ink Pots via Johnston Creek trailhead (Moose Meadows) will remain open and accessible to the public.

Transit and Parking:

  • Visitors are encouraged to take Roam Public Transit (Route 9) to Johnston Canyon in order to avoid parking congestion.
  • For the duration of this project, visitors will see reduced parking in the Johnston Canyon parking lots:
    • the east side of the main parking lot (P1) at Johnston Canyon will be closed to public access and used as a construction staging area. This means stalls on the east side of P1 will be unavailable for public parking.
    • the remaining half of P1 and all of P2 remain open for parking at the Johnston Canyon trailhead.

Accommodations & Other:

Access to the following sites remain:

  • Johnston Canyon day-use area;
  • Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows, and associated restaurant and gift shop; and
  • Johnston Canyon Campground.

Parks Canada asks that the all trail users including the public, business operators and resort staff respect these closures for their safety. Visitors are reminded to plan ahead, remain flexible in their schedule and ensure they have alternate site‐seeing options planed before their arrival to the park.

map of area closure

Other national parks nearby
What to know before you visit

When visiting or driving through Banff National Park, you may encounter one or more construction zones. Trip planning information is available by visiting: