Alberta roadways closures update

Updated at 8:30  pm, June 23, 2013

RCMP and Emergency Services continue to be challenged by vehicles being parked on Highway 2 outside the safety perimeter established around High River, Alberta.  All vehicles are instructed to leave the area so that Emergency vehicles are not delayed in their search and rescue efforts.  The Evacuation order is expected to stay in place for several days and public access is not expected to be granted to High River as the area is not safe.

The following is the report of road closures as of 7:00 a.m. on June 23, 2013:
Please use caution and exercise patience while driving along Highway 1 crossing the Trans Canada bridge at Medicine Hat, currently the highway is reduced to one lane each direction and traffic congestion is very high. Expect delays if traveling in this area today.
Highway 1 - closed - both east of Canmore at Deadman's Flats, in Canmore at the Cougar Creek Crossing and WEst of Mt. Norquay Road.  (Emergency vehicle access only on Highway 1)

Highway 1A - closed east of Exshaw to the Highway 1 junction.  Canmore to Exshaw is restricted to Emergency vehicle access only.

Highway 40 - Junction of Highway 1 to Highwood Pass - Emergency vehicle access only

Highway 24 at Bow River near Carseland is closed

Highway 36  - the bridge over the Bow River has been re-opened so Highway 36 is now open

Highway 41A - is closed at the City of Medicine Hat limits as a security precaution.

Highway 66 - closed

Highway 68 - closed from Powderface to Highway 40.

Highway 541 - closed

Highway 547 and Bow crossing (with one lane steel truss bridge) is being closed as water started to crest

Highway 549 West - closed

Highway 579 was closed from Highway 22 to Highway 734

Highway 587 - Garrington Bridge over the Red Deer River - closed

Highway 734 from Highway 11 to 579 - closed

Highway 758 - closed

Highway 811 - closed .5 km south of Fort MacLeod

Highway 842 and Bow (with steel truss Bridge) is closed.

Ferry crossing closures are in effect at Crowfoot, Finnegan, and Bleriot crossing until further notice.

TransCanada Bridge in Medicine Hat will stay open - The TransCanada Highway/Highway 1 bridge through Medicine Hat will remain open even as flood waters bear down on the city.  Provincial experts say the South Saskatchewan River is no longer rising as fast as it was this morning and the flow of water will be well below the level and speed the bridge can handle. Officials will continue to monitor the situation throughout the night and the morning, when the river is expected to crest in Medicine Hat.
Highway update

Updated June 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm:

Trans-Canada Highway - Westbound Canmore to Banff:
Motorists can now access Banff from the east using the Trans-Canada Highway.

Trans-Canada Highway - Eastbound Banff to Canmore:
Open to emergency, maintenance and service vehicles and the ROAM shuttle Service. ROAM information and schedules can be found at www.banff.ca.

Trans-Canada Highway - Golden to Banff:
Open in both directions to passenger vehicles and tour buses only. No commercial vehicles except those making deliveries to the communities of Field, Lake Louise, Banff and commercial accommodations (hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, etc) are allowed at this time.

Trans-Canada Highway - Banff to Calgary:
Motorists in Banff needing to get to Calgary can use Highway 93 South (Banff-Windermere Highway) or Highway 93 North (Icefields Parkway). Alternatively, designated shuttle buses are available from Banff to the Calgary airport. Details and schedules can be found here:
www.brewstertransportation.com/banff-airport-express
www.banffairporter.com

Banff Legacy Trail:
Closed in both directions due to bridge failure.
Highway 93 North (Icefields Parkway):
Open in both directions from Lake Louise to Jasper for non-commercial traffic.

Highway 93 South:
Open in both directions from Radium Hot Springs to Castle Junction for non-commercial transportation vehicles only.

Up-to-date road information, including traffic delays, is a click or a phone call away (5-1-1 toll-free). Visit 511.alberta.ca or follow us on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.