Parks Canada has ditched plans to widen the Bow Valley Parkway.
Officials with the federal agency say an initial assessment determined a 2.5-metre wide paved shoulder along the 49-kilometre scenic highway between Banff and Lake Louise would not address the speeding issue on the parkway.
Instead, they say, many traffic calming measures are being investigated to reduce speeds on the parkway, which for the most part has a posted speed limit of 60 km/h, but does have 50 km/h and 30 km/h sections.
“The original thought on putting in a shoulder of some sort on the parkway is it would increase safety for motorists and cyclists,” said Greg Danchuk, Parks Canada’s visitor experience manager in Banff.
“But some of the testing and assessments we’ve done indicated that actually won’t be the case. Speed is the biggest thing and putting in a shoulder won’t slow people down. It could, in fact, increase speeds. Rarely is anybody doing less than 70 km/h.”
The scenic Bow Valley Parkway is a major visitor attraction, popular with people wanting a more leisurely and quieter alternative drive to the busy Trans-Canada Highway, and sees an increasing number of cyclists.
It offers roadside pulloffs and superb views, from flower-filled meadows to the multi-tiered pinnacles of Castle Mountain. The rich habitat also makes it one of Banff’s best locations to see wildlife such as elk, moose, bighorn sheep, deer, wolves and bears.
Danchuk said traffic calming measures under consideration include roundabouts or traffic circles at some of the busy intersections or locations, for example, perhaps at Johnston Canyon.
He said more speed radar signs that indicate a vehicle’s speed that flash when the limit is being exceeded are being considered and lowering the speed limit in certain areas may also be explored.
“This is all getting assessed this year. What could we do and where would we do these things?” said Danchuk. “It’s not going to be one solution for the whole parkway.”
Conservationists voiced opposition when Parks Canada announced last year that adding a 2.5-metre shoulder was part of a $67 million infrastructure investment in the Bow Valley Parkway.
Jim Pissot, executive director of WildCanada Conservation Alliance, was a member of two separate committees over the years that had looked at the future direction of the parkway in terms of wildlife management and visitor experience.
He said at no time did committees discuss widening the parkway, so Pissot said he’s very happy with Parks Canada’s decision to scrap the plan.
“I could see no justification for widening the Bow Valley Parkway at all, and now Parks has recognized the need to actually discourage people from driving recklessly,” he said. “The speed ought to be slow enough to be safe for motorists, bicyclists and wildlife.”
Pissot said Bow Valley Parkway is a very special and unique experience in Banff National Park.
“The first thing is, it’s not the Trans-Canada Highway. The Trans-Canada is generally a madhouse of mixed vehicles, including truckers who are eager to get to the coast,” he said.
“The parkway is the original route between Banff and Lake Louise and offers a leisurely drive, an excellent chance to see wildlife, a chance to pull off and picnic or camp or hike.”
Parks Canada will give the public an opportunity to review the conceptual design for the Bow Valley Parkway, which will be followed by a formal plan, environmental assessment and construction.
