Completed infrastructure projects
The following projects have been completed as part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment program. Parks Canada is investing $3 billion over five 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. Find out what has been completed under this program.
Townsite grounds infrastructure and utilities
Waterton townsite is undergoing a major infrastructure upgrade. Work includes building new sidewalks, replacing pavement and upgrading water and sewer lines. In addition, this project will improve parking and way-finding in the townsite, and ensure street lighting is “dark sky” friendly. Landscaping work will be completed as needed alongside these projects.
This work may affect access to some areas of the townsite. You can find current impacts and closures here. This work is still in progress, but, many improvements have been made to date, including:
- Expanded and resurfaced parking lots and street parking in the Waterton townsite. When complete, 177 new parking stalls will be available. As of 2019, most already are.
- Extensive utility replacement throughout the townsite, ensuring safe and reliable water and sewer services for residents and visitors.
- Repaving of Bertha Trail parking lot, Clematis Avenue, Evergreen Avenue, Fountain Avenue, Vimy Avenue and portions of Windflower Avenue and Waterton Avenue, along with other alleys and lane-ways.
Peace Park Plaza / Marina Seawall and Parking Lot
The Peace Park Plaza has been redesigned and rebuilt with enhanced visitor opportunities to celebrate the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site as the world’s first International Peace Park
Townsite campground, Cameron Bay and Cameron Falls washrooms
Four washroom buildings were completed in the Townsite campground, replacing ones in poor condition. The Cameron Bay and Cameron Falls washrooms have been redesigned and refurbished.
Community Kitchen washroom relocation
This washroom was relocated from the site of the new Visitor Centre to the Community Kitchen along Waterton Avenue.
Townsite garbage bins and pads
New garbage bins and pads have been installed throughout the townsite.
Highway 5 and Highway 6
Highways 5 and 6 have been rehabilitated to ensure longevity and increase safety through resurfacing, guardrail replacement and drainage improvements.
Staff Housing
Staff housing has been built in the Waterton townsite to replace the aging bunkhouse units, formerly located at the Parks Canada compound.
Belly River crossing
A redesigned stream crossing provides reliable access to the group camp area by increasing the culvert size to eliminate washouts.
Cameron Lake Day Use Area
Cameron Lake Day Use Area is located on the Akamina Parkway, which is undergoing extensive reconstruction following the Kenow Wildfire. Though the parkway is closed to motor vehicles during construction, access for non-motorized use may be permitted when it is safe to do so. The Akamina Parkway is anticipated to re-open to motor vehicles in 2021.
The Cameron Lake Day Use Area has new visitor facilities including shelter, interpretation, docks, washrooms and parking.
Red Rock Parkway
In addition to work completed under the FII program, work is taking place on the Red Rock Parkway following the Kenow Wildfire. This includes rock scaling and replacing guardrails and signage.
Work on the Red Rock Parkway in 2017 included pavement resurfacing, replacing culverts and rebuilding the lower Red Rock Canyon lot to optimize parking space.
Blakiston Falls viewing platforms and trails
The Blakiston Falls trail and viewing platforms have been rebuilt and are now open to visitors.
