Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
As early as noon today, Parks Canada is closing the Icefields Parkway through to the evening of March 18 to allow for extensive avalanche control work.
The highway will be closed from Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan River Crossing. The day-use area at Athabasca Falls will remain accessible.
鈥淲e find it more effective when we close the whole section,鈥� said Steve Young, spokesperson for Jasper National Park.
鈥淧arks Canada avalanche control forecasters are keeping a close eye on snow conditions on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) and Maligne Lake Road in Jasper National Park,鈥� he explained in an email.
鈥淭he continuing trend of warm temperatures has already resulted in some snow releases onto the roadway. This shows that the snowpack can become unstable and avalanche control is required to maintain safe traveling on the roadway.鈥�
There are times when it鈥檚 difficult to change plans. To this, Young said, 鈥淚f you must travel, the best time to go this time of year, is in the morning, before things start to melt鈥� or late evening.
Young advised folks to check as well as Jasper National Park鈥檚 and feeds, for more information as the weather changes.
