LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA, May 23, 2006 -- A $3.1 million project to resurface sections of the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) in Banff National Park of Canada was announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, by Mr. Myron Thompson, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose.
"This project will improve 30 kilometres of some of the Icefields Parkway's worst sections," Minister Ambrose said. "It will result in better road conditions, increased driver safety and an improved visitor experience on the Icefields Parkway - one of the world's great mountain drives."
The 220 kilometre Icefields Parkway, which connects Jasper and Lake Louise, is named for the chain of icefields that roofs the Rockies. The Parkway was constructed in 1951 as a scenic road for the use and pleasure of national park visitors. Services and maintenance on the Icefields Parkway are made possible through revenue from the collection of user fees in the mountain national parks of Canada.
Numerous tributes and accolades have been paid to the outstanding scenery located along this route. Recently, an American travel Web site ranked the parkway as number 3 out of the top 100 getaways in North America and the number one scenic drive in all of North America.
"By using advanced materials and construction techniques, this project will meet the needs of both park visitors and the environment," said Mr. Thompson. "It demonstrates Parks Canada's commitment to conserve our national parks and their unique ecosystems, and to offer Canadians enjoyable opportunities to experience and appreciate them."
The project announced today will see two 15-kilometre sections of the Parkway located near Saskatchewan Crossing repaved using the "hot in-place recycling" method of pavement resurfacing. In addition to its advantages for remote sites like the Icefields Parkway, the repaving method offers reduced costs and construction times, and lower impacts on the environment.
Public Works and Government Services Canada has awarded the competitive contract of $3.1 million to R.W. Blacktop of North Vancouver. Construction is slated to begin in July and is scheduled for completion in September.
Information:
Ryan Sparrow
Associate Director and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Terry McGuire
Director of Highway Services
Mountain ParksParks Canada
(403) 292-4707
