Month-long closure planned for Trans-Canada highway

A planned closure along the Trans-Canada Highway between Golden and Castle Junction this spring will see traffic re-routed along highways 93 and 95 from April 12 to May 14, 2021.

The closure is necessary as crews work to convert nearly five kilometers of winding two-lane road to a modern four-lane standard as part of the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4 construction project. The detour will add up to 1.5 hours of travel time. Roadside signs will provide advance notification and alternative routes will also have signs.

In a statement, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said the closure “will allow crews to proceed with work that cannot be carried out safely during shorter interruptions, such as major excavation, piling and hauling.”

The construction zone open briefly to local and commuter traffic twice daily, escorted by a pilot vehicle during one half-hour period beginning at 7 a.m. and one half-hour period beginning at 4:30 p.m. Similar escorts will be provided for school buses so students will have uninterrupted access to school. Emergency vehicles in response mode will be provided escorted passage on short notice.

The closure is part of a traffic-management strategy developed in consultation with the community and key stakeholders. The strategy is designed to minimize travel disruptions during the peak summer and winter travel periods by having as much work as possible done at night and other off-peak periods.