Harper Government announces new investments in Banff National Park highway infrastructure

BANFF, AB, July 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Office of the Minister of the Environment, Parks Canada

Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose and Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and MP for Oshawa, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced infrastructure investments totalling more than $117 million in Banff National Park's highway infrastructure.

This major investment includes paving and slope stabilization along portions of the Trans-Canada Highway inside Banff National Park; the rehabilitation or replacement of existing wildlife exclusion fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway; and paving, guardrail repair and rock and slope stabilization of the Bow Valley Parkway.

Parks Canada is investing more than $500 million in highway infrastructure across national parks in the region including Banff National Park, Glacier National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Yoho National Park.

These projects are the result of an unprecedented investment by the Government of Canada to support infrastructure work in our national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas. This investment represents the largest federal infrastructure plan in the 104-year history of Parks Canada, ensuring these cherished places are protected and secured for the future while also creating and protecting jobs and opportunities.

Quick Facts

• Established in 1885, Banff National Park is both the oldest national park in Canada as well as the third national park ever established. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
• Banff National Park welcomes more than 3.6 million visitors every year, making it the single most popular national park in Canada. 
• Parks Canada is present in hundreds of communities across Canada and contributes approximately $3 billion dollars to the Canadian economy every year. Last year, more than 21 million visits were made to Canada's national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. Parks Canada's overall contribution to the Canadian economy is responsible for more than 40,000 jobs from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes

"Banff National Park is Canada's first national park, a flagship for Parks Canada's system of protected areas and a world leader in tourism. With these investments, our Government will be creating and protecting jobs and opportunities while also renewing important infrastructure right here in Banff. "

- Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose

"Our government is committed to protecting and restoring Canada's natural and cultural treasures for present and future generations. Investments such as these will support the tourism industry and enhance visitor experience across Canada."

- Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and MP for Oshawa

Related Product

Backgrounder

Associated Links

National Conservation Plan
 Parks Canada: www.parkscanada.gc.ca

Backgrounder
Banff Highways Infrastructure Investments

Grand total of infrastructure investments:	$117.5 M
Infrastructure projects:
Banff National Park
Project description:
Trans-Canada Highway - Paving & Slope Stabilization – Banff National Park	$20.5 M
This project will pave sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and stabilise slopes in targeted areas between the Banff East Gate and Castle Junction.
Trans-Canada Highway (KM 0 - 47) Wildlife Exclusion Fencing Rehabilitation – Banff National Park	$26 M
This project involves a complete replacement of existing wildlife fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway from Banff East Gate (KM 0) to Sunshine Road (KM 26), and rehabilitation of targeted sections of existing wildlife fencing from Sunshine Road (KM 26) to the Banff/Yoho national parks border (KM 82). Major components of the project include improved wildlife fencing alignments, current standard fencing components, patrol trails, access gates, connections to wildlife structures, jump outs, texas gates and electro-mats, signs and remote wildlife cameras.
Bow Valley Parkway Rehabilitation – Banff National Park	$67 M
The Bow Valley Parkway is a key visitor attraction in Banff National Park, popular with both motorists and cyclists. This project will rehabilitate the road to ensure it is safe and reliable for the public.
Rehabilitation of Highway Pavement - Trans-Canada Highway Banff National Park	$4 M
This project will pave an 8km section of the Trans-Canada Highway between Minnewanka and Norquay Interchange.
Site description:
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.

* Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.

SOURCE Parks Canada (Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit)

For further information: Jonathan Lefebvre, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Christina Tricomi, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Banff National Park, 403-762-1526; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada