The good news is that the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) was fully open through the Kicking Horse Canyon, east of Golden, over the Easter long weekend.
The bad news is that the highway will be fully closed for five days following the long weekend, which will begin at noon on Tuesday, April 11, and last until noon on Sunday, April 16.
It means all Hwy 1 traffic in both directions between Golden and BC-Alberta border will be rerouted through Radium Hot Springs via Hwy 93S and Hwy 95, adding around 90 minutes of travel time.
“The closure is necessary to prepare for a localized traffic shift that will enable the contractor to continue work on structures near the western end of the project,” notes a release from the Ministry of Transportation.
“Roadside signs will provide advance notification of the closure and direction to the alternate route. Drivers are advised to use caution and watch for wildlife, school children and school buses while travelling the alternate route.”
The Ministry notes that the construction zone will be opened briefly to limited local and commuter traffic with prearranged permits twice daily.
Traffic will be escorted by a pilot vehicle during half-hour periods beginning at 7 am and 4:30 pm. Similar escorts will be provided for school buses to ensure students have proper access to school.
“Emergency vehicles in response mode will be provided escorted passage on short notice,” the Ministry added.
While the five-day closure will surely be an inconvenience to some, it’s a significant improvement over the full highway closure last spring that lasted 32 days.
Once completed in winter 2023-24, the 4.8-kilometre section of Hwy 1 through the Kicking Horse Canyon will be fully converted from a winding two-lane road to a modern four-lane standard highway.
You can check out the project’s website to view the full closure calendar for the coming weeks and months.
