Trans-Canada Highway twinning
In the early 1950s, the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) in Yoho and Banff national parks was built as a scenic, low volume, two-lane highway. It has since developed into a major commercial highway and an important trade corridor connecting eastern and western Canada. It is also the primary access route for five million visitors to Canada’s mountain national parks with average daily traffic volumes reaching nearly 7,500 vehicles through Yoho National Park.
Starting in 1981, the TCH in Banff National Park was upgraded in phases, from two lanes to a four lane divided highway. The upgrades were guided by three equal goals:
- Improve motorist safety
- Reduce highway-related wildlife mortality and provide safe wildlife crossing opportunities
- Improve the flow of traffic and goods on Canada’s national highway.
Improvements
Improvements in Yoho
Upgrades on a six kilometer (km) section of the TCH in Yoho National Park are now complete. Guided by the same goals, the six km stretch of highway known as Phase IVA, has been twinned starting at the Alberta/British Columbia border extending westward. Phase IVA was completed in fall 2018.
Consultation
Consultation underway for the next phase of twinning
Consultation on the draft Detailed Impact Analysis is underway for upgrades on the remaining 40 km section of TCH in Yoho National Park, known as Phase IVB. There are no funds identified for construction on Phase IVB.
From January 27 – February 28 2020, Parks Canada invites you to review the draft Detailed Impact Analysis and let us know if there are any impacts we may have missed or not fully considered.
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Map: Map
Copies of the full Detailed Impact Analysis can be obtained by contacting Noelle Summers
Email address:
noelle.summers@canada.ca
What do you think?
- Which aspects of the project do you support and why?
- Which aspects of the project do you have concerns about and why?
- Is there something we missed that we should be considering? If so, please describe.
We’d like your feedback by February 28, 2020. Submit your comments:
On line https://parks-parcs.simplesurvey.com/f/l/YOHOTrans-Canada-Transcanadienne
Email address:
pc.yoho-opinion.pc@canada.ca
Location:
Noelle Summers, Consultation Coordinator
Trans-Canada Highway Twinning Project
P.O. Box 99, Field B.C. V0A 1G0
Public open houses will be held at the following locations and times:
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
5 pm to 7 pm, Field Community Centre
315 Stephen Avenue, Field, BC
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
5 pm to 7pm, Seniors' Centre
1401 9 St S, Golden, B.C.
Drop by to learn more information on the Trans-Canada Highway Twinning Project (Phase IVB) in Yoho National Park. The open houses are an opportunity for people to learn more about the project and provide feedback on the draft Detailed Impact Analysis and proposed highway design. Parks Canada staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide details on the project.
Next Steps
Parks Canada will compile, review, and carefully analyse all public comments received. Your comments will help Parks Canada identify potential issues or opportunities associated with the project that may have been missed or not fully considered. Feedback will be used to inform any needed revisions to the Detailed Impact Analysis.
Based on the final Detailed Impact Analysis, a Determination will be made by Parks Canada. This, along with any public comments received throughout the project, consultation with Indigenous peoples, and any other relevant information, will be considered by the Superintendent when making a final decision on whether and how the project may proceed.
Planning schedule
Planning Schedule
| Stage / Milestone | Timing |
|---|---|
| Terms of Reference for the Detailed Impact Analysis: Review of Scope and Valued Component Selection |
Complete |
| Initial Engagement (one-on-one meetings, open house) | Complete |
| Prepare the Draft Detailed Impact Analysis, Preliminary Engineering Design and Initial Consultation with Indigenous Groups | 2017 to 2019 |
| Public Review of Draft Detailed Impact Analysis | January 27 to February 28, 2020 |
| Refine Draft Detailed Impact Analysis and Engineering Design as required | Spring 2020 |
|
Decision on Detailed Impact Analysis |
Spring/Summer 2020 |
|
Implementation |
If approved, construction will start as funds become available |
Contact us
For questions or more information regarding upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway in Yoho National Park, contact:
Media inquiries
Lindsay McPherson, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Email address:
lindsay.mcpherson@canada.ca
Public consultation and engagement
Email address:
pc.yoho-opinion.pc@canada.ca