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Home , Bow Glacier, Vermilion Lakes

Lake Louise, Yoho & Kootenay Field Unit P.O. Box 213 , AB T0L 1E0

February 22, 2018

RE: Visitor experience and safety improvements – Temporary delays and closures in Banff and Kootenay national parks in 2018

Dear Transportation and Tour Operators,

This year improvements and maintenance will continue in Banff, Kootenay and Yoho national parks. Investments in visitor infrastructure will ensure the quality and reliability of facilities for the future. Following are projects with the greatest potential to cause disruptions for your business; please note, a chronological table with additional detail is also provided for your convenience. More information will be provided in the coming months. As always, we encourage you to plan ahead and leave some extra time in your itineraries.

Kootenay National Park

 Marble Canyon – Parking lot closure for 2018

Town of Banff Area

 Johnson Lake – Potential closures in 2018

 Upper Bankhead Parking Lot – Closed in June 2018

 Sulphur Mountain Parking Lot – Expect delays in September 2018

 Johnston Canyon Campground – Closed after September 4, 2018

Village I Campground – Closed after September 4, 2018

Lake Louise Area

 Lake Louise Village Road – Water/sewer line replacement after September 3 (Labour Day) – Expect some delays

 North end of the Parkway – Closed until July 2018; Baker Creek Mountain Resort remains accessible via Castle Junction.

Icefields Parkway Area

 Mistaya Canyon – Closed until late summer 2018

What else do you need to know?

 Looking for alternative experiences? We recommend:

o Alternatives to Marble Canyon: Stop at Paint Pots, Numa Falls (from July), or hike the Juniper Trail in . In , visit Silverton Falls via the Rockbound Lake trailhead or hike to Falls.

o Alternatives to Mistaya Canyon: Visit Sundance Canyon, or in Banff National Park. If you are carrying on to Jasper, visit or on the Icefields Parkway.

o Alternatives to Johnson Lake: Walk to Sundance Canyon or canoe on Two Jack Lake or near the town of Banff.

o Alternatives to Morant’s Curve: Take photos at viewpoint or the spectacular viewpoint instead.

 For safety, please do not stop on the Trans- Highway to view wildlife. On slower, secondary pull over onto the road shoulder only if it is safe to do so. Never stop in the middle of the road, close to a hill, curve, or in heavy traffic. Do not drive off the hardened road surface. Remain in your vehicle, safe from both wildlife and traffic. Move on after a few moments. Please help us by reminding your guests that littering and feeding wildlife of any kind is both illegal and harmful to wildlife.

For more information

We are committed to providing visitors with exceptional and meaningful experiences and appreciate your patience as we protect and make lasting improvements to the mountain national parks. Should you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

For current conditions, consult:

511 511alberta.ca

 Drive BC drivebc.ca

 BanffNow pc.gc.ca/banffnow

For project information and updates, consult:

 pc.gc.ca/Banff-construction

 pc.gc.ca/Kootenay-construction

 pc.gc.ca/Yoho-construction

Amy Krause Public relations and communications officer, Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit 403-522-4230 / [email protected]

Christie Thomson Public relations and communications officer, Banff Field Unit 403-762-1502 / [email protected]

2018 Schedule of Key Projects

Full year

Closed Marble The parking lot and restrooms Estimated Kootenay Canyon will be closed to support reopening replacement of aging highway Winter 2018 infrastructure nearby for safety. The campground will remain open and trails will remain accessible via a 6.8 km (round- trip) trail from nearby Paint Pots.

Spring

Closed Bow Valley Currently closed while a Estimated Banff Parkway / retaining wall and structural reopening Highway 1A culvert are replaced at Morant’s July 2018. Curve. Baker Creek Mountain Resort remains accessible via Castle Junction on the Trans- Canada Highway.

Partial closure Upper Pedestrian access to trailheads Estimated Banff Bankhead will be maintained while the reopening Parking Lot parking lot is repaved and July 2018. on rehabilitated. Parking is Closed for Minnewanka available at Lower Bankhead June only. Road ~1.2 km away.

Potential Johnson Potential closures for whirling Dates TBD Banff closures Lake disease management and parking lot reconstruction.

Spring and summer

Closed Mistaya The parking lot and trail will be Estimated Banff Canyon closed while parking and reopening highway access are improved for late summer safety. 2018

Fall

Early closure Johnston Closing early for maintenance Closed after Banff Canyon and significant utility September 4 Campground improvements until Spring 2019. Exact dates TBD.

Early closure Tunnel Mtn. Closing early for maintenance Closed after Banff Village I and significant utility September 4 Campground improvements until Spring 2019. Exact dates TBD.

Potential Sulphur Sulphur Mountain gondola and Potential Banff delays Mountain the Banff upper hot pools will delays after Parking Lot remain open while the parking September 3 lot is under construction to improve traffic flow and increase capacity. Minor delays should be expected.

Potential Village Road In the village of Lake Louise, Potential Banff delays in Lake aging water and sewer pipes are delays after Louise being replaced on Village Road. September 3 Traffic flow improvements, including traffic lights, may also be installed.

No significant impact to shuttle services expected. Traffic flow

will be maintained at all times and any temporary lane reductions will be coordinated to ensure minimal disruption. Expect delays during peak larch season. Plan ahead and leave some extra time in your travels.