The Trans-Canada Highway is currently closed for construction just east of Golden, near the BC-Alberta border, but will remain fully open during peak summer and winter seasons. Our guests can rest assured that this major project will not disrupt any future travel to Heather Mountain Lodge, as closures will not occur during our operating seasons. Closures of the Kicking Horse Canyon section of the Trans-Canada Highway will only occur during the off-peak months of April to May and late September to November.
This phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project, known as Phase 4, or the “canyon” section, is the final and most difficult phase of the project. It encompasses some of the most rugged and beautiful driving in the country, making it also some of the most challenging. The narrow road winds along the edge of a steep cliff, avoiding rockfall hazards in summer and avalanche hazards in winter. Wildlife such as bighorn sheep frequent the area, and to top it off, as part of Canada’s major commercial travel route it accommodates thousands of motorists every day.
The construction project will improve safety on the highway by realigning curves, widening the road to include four lanes, accommodating cyclists, further addressing rock fall and avalanche hazards with additional bridges and ditches, and adding wildlife fencing and passages.
The current off-peak highway 1 closure reroutes motorists who are travelling east from Golden from the Trans-Canada Highway to Highways 93 and 95. This alternate route rejoins the Trans-Canada Highway near Banff.
In mid-May, the Trans-Canada Highway will reopen with intermittent 24-hour closures until the end of May. From June, the highway will remain completely open. A calendar of the highway closures has been provided.
If you are travelling the Trans-Canada Highway this summer, plan a visit to Heather Mountain Lodge! We are conveniently located right on the highway, but tucked into the wilderness, just 1km from the east entrance to Glacier National Park, with Rogers Pass Historical Site a 20-minute drive away. Our closest towns are Golden, located 35 minutes to the east, and Revelstoke, located 1 hour to the west. We are 3.5-hours west of Calgary, and 3.5-hours east of Kamloops. The perfect mid-way point to break up the driving and turn your road trip into something unique. Check out our packages.
As always, be sure to check DriveBC for all of the current highway closures and conditions before travelling.