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.

Mistaya Canyon parking lot

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 impacts: Expect speed reductions to 50 km/hr.

  

Wildlife exclusion fencing replacement

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.

Reconstruction of the roadway

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 2 to June 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.

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 will be closed to the public for whirling disease management. During this time, the parking lot will be re-constructed.

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 are closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2018/19. Pipestone closure map

Summer 2018: July and August

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 are closed while water main and reservoir upgrades are underway. The area will reopen for winter 2018/19. Pipestone closure map

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. Pipestone closure map

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 after September 3, 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.

• Visiting Lake Louise