Construction projects
When visiting or driving through 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. 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.
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.
Construction projects in the mountain national parks
This is not an exhaustive list of infrastructure projects underway. Only projects that may impact visitors are listed.
Infrastructure project - Construction
Infrastructure project - Closure
Construction on highways
Parks Canada is investing millions of dollars in projects along the Trans-Canada Highway, Bow Valley Parkway, and Icefields Parkway to ensure safe and reliable roadways, and better experiences for visitors. Paving and road construction projects have been planned in a way that will minimize disruption to visitors and residents as much as possible.
Plan ahead. 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.
Improvements on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N)
Paving and culvert installation (in progress)
Where: Work in Jasper National Park will take place from Nigel Peak, near the Columbia Icefield, to Sunwapta Falls on the Icefields Parkway / Highway 93 North (km 120 to 175)
When: Work began in spring and will continue until September. In August work will take place only at night. No work near the Columbia Icefield in July and August.
Traffic: In August, expect overnight speed reductions, single lane alternating traffic and delays of up to 20 minutes. Occasional brief closures may be required to allow equipment to enter and exit the area.
Rock scaling and slope stabilisation (in progress)
Where: North of Rampart Creek Campground (km 88 to 89)
When: Work began in spring and will continue until August.
Traffic: Expect speed reductions, single-lane alternating traffic and delays of up to 30 minutes.
Mistaya Canyon parking lot (in progress)
Where: Located at Mistaya Canyon (5 km south of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
When: April to August
What: Mistaya Canyon parking lot will be formalised and improved. Acceleration and deceleration lanes will also be created for improved traffic safety. The parking lot and trail will reopen late summer 2018.
Traffic: Expect speed reductions to 50 km/hr.
Improvements on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1)
Roadway rehabilitation and paving (in progress)
Where: From the Banff east gate to the Lake Minnewanka interchange (km 0 - 13) AND from Bow Valley Parkway east entrance to the Sunshine interchange (km 23-26)
When: Work began in early May and is now taking place only at night.
Traffic: Expect overnight speed reductions and occasional delays due to lane closures.
Improvements on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A)
Bridge rehabilitations (in progress)
Where: Johnston Creek (km 18), Baker Creek (km 38), Corral Creek (km 48)
When: Work began this winter and will continue until mid-August.
Traffic: Expect minor delays.
Construction at day use areas and other sites
Spring 2018: April through June
Spring 2018: April through June
The Historic Reflecting and Cretaceous Ponds in the Cascade of Time Gardens will be restored to once again hold water. The areas surrounding the ponds will be restricted to construction crews as they continue their work until the anticipated completion of the project in spring 2018.
Castle Mountain Campground may experience a delayed opening in the spring of 2018 due to construction (weather depending).
Johnson Lake Day Use Area opens to the public June 30, 2018.
Mount Norquay Scenic Drive will experience road construction for slope stabilization throughout spring 2018. Access to Mount Norquay will be maintained. There will be single lane alternating traffic through construction zones as needed. Expect delays.
Two Jack Day Use Area parking lot will be paved in spring 2018. There will be a brief closure of the upper parking area; however, access to the Day Use Area will be maintained throughout this work.
Lake Minnewanka Day Use Area will undergo pothole patching and crack sealing in the spring of 2018. There will be short-term partial parking lot closures; however, access to the Day Use Area will be maintained.
Upper Bankhead Day Use Area parking lot will be closed for re-paving and construction in June 2018. The parking lot will be closed to vehicle access; however, pedestrian access to the trailheads will be maintained.
Mistaya Canyon parking lot will be formalised and improved. Acceleration and deceleration lanes will also be created for improved traffic safety. The parking lot and trail will reopen late summer 2018.
The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2018/19.
Summer 2018: July and August
Summer 2018: July and August
Mistaya Canyon parking lot is being formalised and improved. Acceleration and deceleration lanes are being created for improved traffic safety. The parking lot and trail will reopen late summer 2018.
The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2018/19.
Fall 2018: September through November
Fall 2018: September through November
Johnston Canyon Campground is planned to be closed after September 4th, 2018 until Spring 2019. Check back for confirmation of dates.
Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground is planned to be closed for rehabilitation from September 4th, 2018 until Spring 2019. Check back for confirmation of dates.
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive will be closed temporarily between the Minnewanka day use area and the Palliser lookout for road re-construction atop the Lake Minnewanka dam in Fall 2018. Access to Minnewanka Day Use Area will be by the western section of the Minnewanka loop only while this work takes place.
Vermilion Lakes Road – A culvert will be installed and the road re-paved in fall of 2018. Single lane, alternating traffic will provide access to the area.
Fenlands Day Use Area – The parking lot will be re-paved in fall 2018 which will result in brief closures. Access to hiking trails will be maintained throughout this work.
Mountain Avenue – Minor paving en route to the Banff Upper Hot Springs will take place in fall of 2018. Single lane alternating traffic will be maintained during this work.
Sulphur Mountain Parking Lot – Following the Labour Day long weekend, the parking lot at the Sulphur Mountain gondola and the Banff upper hot springs will be under construction to improve traffic flow and increase capacity. Access to the site will be maintained throughout this work, however, minor delays should be expected. More detailed information about this project will be available in the coming months Pipestone Trails and Parking Lot will be closed the Lake Louise water reservoir is improved and a new water main is constructed. Skiers and mountain bikers are invited to explore nearby trails in the Lake Louise area (link) or in neighbouring Yoho National Park (link). Trails will reopen for winter 2018/19.
The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails are closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2018/19.
Lake Louise Visitor Centre - The interior of the Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be renovated after October 8. Public restrooms will be available at Samson Mall and a mobile Visitor Centre will be provided.
Village Road at Lake Louise – Replacement of aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village, and traffic flow and sense of arrival improvements. Work will begin in late autumn 2018. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Delays are possible but significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated.
Construction in the village of Lake Louise
The hamlet of Lake Louise welcomes millions of visitors annually. Parks Canada is responsible for ensuring that roads, bridges and utilities are up to the task. A large investment is underway. All businesses remain open and shuttle services are not affected. Expect delays in October 2018 when work begins in the village itself. This work will continue in 2019. As always leave a little extra time in your itinerary and plan ahead.
Map and construction details for the village of Lake Louise
PDF Version (950 KB)
What's happening?
After September 3 (Labour Day) a number of construction projects will begin in the Lake Louise Village area. This work will repair infrastructure, increase safety and improve visitor experience in the Village of Lake Louise. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect:
- Water and sewer line replacement - Aging water and sewer lines will be replaced on Village Road between Hector Road and the Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre. Excavation will be required.
- Visitor Centre renovation - The inside of the Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be renovated this winter to better serve visitors with improved indoor traffic flow and information as well as the addition of a Parks Canada store.
- Traffic light installation - Traffic lights will be installed at one or more key intersections to reduce congestion, improve the sense of arrival, and make it easier and safer for both vehicles and pedestrians to navigate the village.
- Pipestone and Mud Lake trails – A water reservoir is being replaced and a new water main installed in the Pipestone area to improve fire safety for the Village of Lake Louise.
What you need to know
- This fall, water and sewer line replacement work on Village Road will proceed in stages. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times and shuttle services will not be affected. Delays during peak larch season are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.
- Over the winter public restrooms will remain available in the Lake Louise Village and a mobile Visitor Centre will be provided to ensure continuity of visitor service.
- Pipestone trails are closed to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Public parking is not permitted on Slate Road due to increased construction traffic. Mountain bikers can explore other local trails or those in nearby Yoho National Park. Skiing will resume in winter 2018.
- Parks Canada has been investing an unprecedented $3 billion dollars over 5 years to support infrastructure work within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These investments represent the largest federal infrastructure plan in the history of Parks Canada.
- Construction timelines are subject to change. Check online for the latest details.
- How to get around the Lake Louise area
- Best times to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Questions? Give us a call
Amy Krause, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Telephone: 403-522-4230
Email: amy.krause@pc.gc.ca
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:
- Seasonal closures and restrictions
- Trail conditions report
- Avalanche forecast
- Weather forecast
- Important bulletins
- 511 Alberta, call 1-855-391-9743 toll-free, or dial 511 (inside Alberta only).
- Drive BC or call 1-800-550-4997 toll-free.