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. 

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Infrastructure project - Construction

Infrastructure project - Closure

Construction on highways

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)
Since 2015, Parks Canada has re-paved 80% of 230 km on the Icefields Parkway, repaired or replaced three culverts to improve water flow, completed rock scaling at two locations for safety, and rebuilt the Silverhorn Campground. Further improvements are underway at the locations below. Check Alberta 511 for the most current information. Reminder: All drivers on the Icefields Parkway require a valid park pass. 

Mistaya Canyon parking lot (in progress)

Where: Located at Mistaya Canyon (5 km south of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
When: April to December
What: Mistaya Canyon parking lot has been formalised and improved. Acceleration and deceleration lanes are being created for improved traffic safety. The parking lot and trail will reopen spring 2019.

Traffic: Expect speed reductions to 70 km/hr.

Visitor gates at Highway 1 and Highway 11 (in progress)

Where: Located at the junction with Highway 93N and the Trans-Canada Highway near Lake Louise (Niblock Gate) and at the junction with Highway 93N and Highway 11 west of Rocky Mountain House (David Thompson Gate).
When: April 2018 to May 2019
What: Visitor gates will be rebuilt for improved safety, sense of arrival and traffic flow. The gate on Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway) has been relocated farther west to a location closer to Saskatchewan River Crossing. The gates will reopen in May 2019.

Traffic: Expect speed reductions to 30 km/hr.

Peyto Lake day use area closure (anticipated)

Where: Located at Peyto Lake (45 km north of Lake Louise and 35 km south of Saskatchewan River Crossing)
When: As early as spring 2019 until winter 2019
What: The entire day use area, including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms, will be closed while the restrooms are replaced and the parking lots reconfigured for improved traffic flow and increased capacity. Note: This project is at a preliminary stage and construction timelines are not yet confirmed. Updates will be provided.

Traffic: No impacts.

Improvements on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1)
Since 2015, Parks Canada has re-paved 38% of 82 km of the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park, improved almost 50 km of wildlife fence and completed maintenance on three wildlife underpasses.

Work on the Trans-Canada Highway is complete for the 2018 season. Information about the upcoming season will be available in spring 2019. Check Alberta 511 or dial 511 (inside Alberta only) for the most current information.

Improvements on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A)
Since 2015, Parks Canada has completed maintenance on three bridges for safety on the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park. We have also rebuilt Morant’s Curve to improve the viewpoint and roadway for safety and to replace a culvert to protect a pure population of endangered westslope cutthroat trout upstream.

Work on the Bow Valley Parkway is complete for the 2018 season. Information about the upcoming season will be available in spring 2019.

Construction at day use areas and other sites

Winter 2018/19: November through April

Winter 2018/19: November through April

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails are closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen prior to mid-December 2018.

Visitor Gates on the Icefields Parkway at the junction with the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 11 are being reconstructed for improved safety and traffic flow. The gates are expected to reopen by mid-May 2019.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations December 15, 2018 until June 2019. Information services will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. Public restrooms at the Visitor Centre will remain open.

Spring 2019: April through June

Spring 2019: April through June

Peyto Lake Day Use Area will be closed, including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms, while the restrooms are replaced and the parking lots reconfigured for improved traffic flow and increased capacity. Note: This project is at a preliminary stage and construction timelines are not yet confirmed. Updates will be provided.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations December 15, 2018 until June 2019. Information services will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. Public restrooms at the Visitor Centre will remain open.

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road, Sentinel Road and Fairview Road. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

Visitor Gates on the Icefields Parkway at the junction with the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 11 are being reconstructed for improved safety and traffic flow. The gates are expected to reopen by mid-May 2019.

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Summer 2019: July and August

Summer 2019: July and August

Peyto Lake Day Use Area will be closed, including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms, while the restrooms are replaced and the parking lots reconfigured for improved traffic flow and increased capacity. Note: This project is at a preliminary stage and construction timelines are not yet confirmed. Updates will be provided.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations December 15, 2018 until June 2019. Information services will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. Public restrooms at the Visitor Centre will remain open.

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road, Sentinel Road and Fairview Road. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Fall 2019: September through November

Fall 2019: September through November

Peyto Lake Day Use Area will be closed, including parking lots, restrooms, trails and viewing platforms, while the restrooms are replaced and the parking lots reconfigured for improved traffic flow and increased capacity. Note: This project is at a preliminary stage and construction timelines are not yet confirmed. Updates will be provided.

Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be closed for interior renovations December 15, 2018 until June 2019. Information services will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot. Public restrooms at the Visitor Centre will remain open.

Hamlet of Lake Louise – Aging water and sewer pipes in the Lake Louise village will be replaced in 2019 on Village Road, Sentinel Road and Fairview Road. Significant impact to shuttle services in Lake Louise are not anticipated. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times but delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.

The Pipestone and Mud Lake trails will be closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2019/20.

Other national parks nearby

Other national parks nearby

Construction in the village of Lake Louise

Construction details for the village of Lake Louise
A large investment is underway in the Lake Louise area to improve roads, bridges, utilities and the Visitor Centre while safeguarding ecological integrity. All businesses will remain open and no significant impact is expected to transit or shuttle services. Delays for motorists are possible. As always, leave a little extra time in your itinerary and plan ahead.

What's happening?

Between winter 2018 and winter 2019, a number of construction projects will take place in the Lake Louise village area. This work will repair infrastructure, increase safety, improve visitor experience and safeguard ecological integrity 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 Fairview Road, Sentinel Road and on Village Road between Hector Road at the Medical Clinic and the Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre.
  • Visitor Centre interior renovation - The public portion of the inside of the Lake Louise Visitor Centre will be renovated this winter to better serve visitors with improved indoor traffic flow as well as the addition of a Parks Canada store.
  • Bridge maintenance - Routine bridge maintenance will take place on Village Road (2 locations), Sentinel Road, and on Lake Louise Drive over the Bow River.
  • 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

  • No significant impacts to transit or shuttle services are expected. Delays for motorists are possible. As always, plan your accommodation and site-seeing well in advance and leave some extra time in your travels.
  • Water and sewer line replacement work on Village Road will proceed in stages. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times and shuttle services will not be affected. Delays are possible. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.
  • How to get around the Lake Louise area 
  • Best times to visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake 
  • Water and sewer line replacement work and bridge maintenance will proceed in stages. Traffic flow will be maintained at all times and projects will be coordinated wherever possible to minimise disruption.
  • While the Visitor Centre is closed for renovations, information services will be provided from temporary facilities in the Samson Mall parking lot.
  • Pipestone trails will be 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 December 2018 then in December 2019.
  • 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. Updates will be provided as timelines are confirmed. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption and safety is our top priority.

Questions? Give us a call

Amy Krause,  Public Relations and Communications Officer
Telephone: 403-522-4230
Email: amy.krause@canada.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: