Banff National Park

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.

Paving and culvert installation (in progress)

Where: Work in Banff National Park will take place from Mount Wilson, near Rampart Creek Campground, to Hilda Creek north of the Big Bend on Highway 93 North (km 84.8 to 116.4)
When: Work began in April and will continue until July.

Traffic: Expect speed reductions, single lane alternating traffic and delays of up to 20 minutes. Occasional brief closures may be required to allow equipment to be moved.

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 will begin in spring and will continue until September. No work near the Columbia Icefield in July and August. 

Traffic: Expect 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 (anticipated)

Where: South of Mistaya Canyon (km 68 to 69) and Mount Wilson, north of Rampart Creek Campground (km 88 to 89)
When: Work will begin in spring and will continue until July.

Traffic: Expect speed reductions, flagging personnel 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.

Roadway rehabilitation and paving (km 0-13 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 will begin in early May and will continue 24 hours until June 16. After mid-June work will only take place at night.

Traffic: Expect speed reductions, potential delays of up to 20 minutes.

Wildlife exclusion fencing replacement (in progress)

When: Seven days per week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. excluding spring/summer long weekends.
Legacy Trail: The trail will remain open, but short detours may be in place.
Vermilion Lakes Road: Expect brief stoppages for construction equipment access and potential temporary detour routes that may require cyclists to dismount. Please follow signage in these areas. 

Traffic impacts:Crews will be working off of roadways. Expect periodic closures of highway shoulders and brief stoppages for equipment transfer.

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 the end of June.

Traffic: Expect single-lane alternating traffic and potential delays during busy periods.

Reconstruction of the roadway (in progress)

Where: The retaining walls at Morant's Curve, located 7 km west of Baker Creek Chalets and about 4 km east of the junction with Whitehorn Road near the village of Lake Louise. This work will improve the safety of the roadway for motorists and cyclists.
When: October 2017 to July 2018. Work will be underway seven days per week from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Traffic impacts: A portion of the west end of the Bow Valley Parkway will be closed, between Whitehorn Road and just west of Baker Creek. Baker Creek Chalets remain open and accessible via Castle Junction, 30 km west of the town of Banff. All facilities along the Bow Valley Parkway will remain open during the fall construction period, except those in the area closure including: Corral Creek Day Use Area and Morant’s Curve Viewpoint.