Driving to BC. Which route now?

[LUDELVR]

With the floods taking out highway 1 by Canmore, what's the next best route to take toward BC? Heading out there this weekend and I don't think the usual route is possible.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I heard you can get through Canmore/Banff now? If not I'm gonna have to take an extra 250km detour north on Thursday.

[AndyL]

masked was asking yesterday - basically you've got the choice of hwy 3 through the crowsnest... Which also has damage.

Or detour up through rocky mountain house to hwy 11 to the icefields parkway (ie halfway to jasper)

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by AndyL
masked was asking yesterday - basically you've got the choice of hwy 3 through the crowsnest... Which also has damage.

Or detour up through rocky mountain house to hwy 11 to the icefields parkway (ie halfway to jasper)

That's what I'm thinking. Wife is coming home from BC this weekend. I think this is the best route: http://goo.gl/maps/A5Qu0

Difference of 3 more hours on top of the traditional route.

*edit*; Shit...looks like that route is only good Westbound. Hwy 93 Northbound is closed to passenger traffic. Wonder why southbound is open, but not North.

[AndyL]

http://www.bchighway.com/report/kootenay.shtml



Highway 93 Both directions Highway 93 between Radium and Castle Junction is open to passenger vehicles and buses only. This road remains closed to commercial vehicles. Updated on Tue Jun 25 at 5:27 am PDT. (ID# 153225)



HWY 93 North from Lake Louise OPEN

TRAFFIC EVENT Updated On: Monday, June 24, 2013, at 12:28
Hwy 93 is now open from Lake Louise north to Saskatchewan Crossing. Commercial traffic will be allowed by permit only.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by AndyL
http://www.bchighway.com/report/kootenay.shtml




Ohhhh I get it now lol. The 511 site didn't make it clear. Awesome. Thanks Andy.

[AndyL]

yeah, I had to check bcaa, ama, bchighways 511, a jasper and a banff forum to get the full picture... none of them alone has the answer...

noteably 93 from hwy 3 to radium has an assload of issues...

[spikerS]

are there any early estimates yet of when the TC will be repaired and open to traffic between Calgary and Banff?

also, any reports on the condition of highway 40 is?

[AndyL]

40/940/FTR - has multiple closures/washouts. No details recently posted that I see...



Highway 40

Details
Flooding or Washout
road closed
starting 2013-06-20
Activity Information
Highway 40 from Highway 1 up through Kananaskis is closed due to flooding.
Last Update
Thu Jun 20 2013 at 06:13 PM MDT

[Boosted131]

Can I make it to Invermere this weekend ?

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Boosted131
Can I make it to Invermere this weekend ?

looks like it, but be prepared to double your travel times.

[Mixalot27]

Delta Kananaskis website says they are not taking any reservations until July 2 so perhaps as of now that is the estimated date for Highway 40 to be open to that point?

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by spikers


looks like it, but be prepared to double your travel times. Why what is wrong with the road now? Don't feel like going if it's a 6 hour drive!

[LUDELVR]

Well I'm actually trying to get to seattle and was going to get there through BC but is there another way anyone can suggest to get to seattle?

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by LUDELVR
Well I'm actually trying to get to seattle and was going to get there through BC but is there another way anyone can suggest to get to seattle?

Highway #2 south, then the I-90. You have to pay to go through Glacier National park, but it's faster than going around.

[eglove]

Originally posted by LUDELVR
Well I'm actually trying to get to seattle and was going to get there through BC but is there another way anyone can suggest to get to seattle?

down south to the states and go west

[revelations]

Originally posted by spikers
are there any early estimates yet of when the TC will be repaired and open to traffic between Calgary and Banff?

also, any reports on the condition of highway 40 is?

According to the Banff National park, they are "planning" on having the TCH open for the "long weekend" ... so could be as late as Monday or Saturday AM :dunno:

Finally news, took them long enough. Could have at least said "AT LEAST A WEEK". :banghead:

[Team_Mclaren]

^^ They were going to open TCH on Monday at 8:00am, then changed it to indefinite.

I took highway 93 north --> rocky mountain house --> red deer back from Vancouver last night. Took approximately 3 hours extra.

[revelations]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
^^ They were going to open TCH on Monday at 8:00am, then changed it to indefinite.

I took highway 93 north --> rocky mountain house --> red deer back from Vancouver last night. Took approximately 3 hours extra.

This is from the Banff NP twitter today at about 5pm :

"Our goal is to open Hwy 1 through the park for the long weekend. " :dunno:

[CRXguy]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
^^ They were going to open TCH on Monday at 8:00am, then changed it to indefinite.

I took highway 93 north --> rocky mountain house --> red deer back from Vancouver last night. Took approximately 3 hours extra.

Did you notice a lot of deers on the highway? Was there a lot of cars/trucks? Guess I'm leaving early tomorrow.

[2.2vtec]

I've heard that the TC will be open for Friday/Saturday. If its not all 4 lanes they will have it reduced to 2 for some parts.

[Team_Mclaren]

Originally posted by revelations


This is from the Banff NP twitter today at about 5pm :

"Our goal is to open Hwy 1 through the park for the long weekend. " :dunno:

sorry what i meant was they were gonna open it Yesterday (monday) at 8:00 am, but decided against it. Now its pending the long weekend. I checked frequently on Sunday / Monday morning.


Originally posted by CRXguy


Did you notice a lot of deers on the highway? Was there a lot of cars/trucks? Guess I'm leaving early tomorrow.

I didnt see a lot of wild life, and the roads were very clear (this is monday evening). I was about to clear highway 93/11 with great speed. Keep in mind that trucks (commercial vehicles) are not allowed on that road atm.

[Team_Mclaren]

you guys should check 511 for latest updates

http://511.alberta.ca/ab/en.html

[.jl-]

http://drivebc.ca/

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Mixalot27
Delta Kananaskis website says they are not taking any reservations until July 2 so perhaps as of now that is the estimated date for Highway 40 to be open to that point?

I heard some very disturbing news about Kananaskis/Hwy 40 and beyond, (Highwood Pass).

Cross posted from another forum:


Talked to a Alberta Transportation worker today that works out of Peter Lougheed Park. He said 8 bridges/culverts are out along Highway 40 between Trans Canada and the park. Crews are working 16 -18 hour days and don't anticipate completion until the fall.

Only essential workers and residents of the Lower K village are allowed in - and then only under escort.

He also said Highwood House got washed away and the owner won't be rebuilding. He said there is talk that Highway 40 between Peter Lougheed park and Highwood Junction may never open again. :eek:

Also, the fire crews from the Elbow District have been cut off because of washouts. They had to leave most of their equipment an personal vehicles behind. A fire camp has been set up in the Ghost River area and they will likely be there until the end of fire season. Some of the crews have been helping residents clean up flood damage in the Hamlet of Benchlands where a number of homes were lost.

I have a feeling all is not well.



This would be DEVASTATING if the Highwood Pass is gone for good. It's a beautiful drive, and the most relaxing, enjoyable drive to get to the K area campgrounds, not to mention the highest paved road in Canada. Truly sad if that happens to be true. :cry:

[AndyL]

:thumbsdow

However, I'm sure the road will be rebuilt/repaired... It's used for so much forestry and fire protection - never mind the recreating... That it can't be just abandoned.

But that doesn't mean it'll happen anytime soon.

[CRXguy]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
I didnt see a lot of wild life, and the roads were very clear (this is monday evening). I was about to clear highway 93/11 with great speed. Keep in mind that trucks (commercial vehicles) are not allowed on that road atm.

Thanks. :thumbsup:

I'll post an update later today when I'm on the highway(s), in case anyone is using this route to head out to BC.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by CRXguy


Thanks. :thumbsup:

I'll post an update later today when I'm on the highway(s), in case anyone is using this route to head out to BC.

Thanks, I'm heading to the Shuswap at 6pm tomorrow.

[Masked Bandit]

I just heard on the radio, Highway #1 from Canmore to Banff now open. Sections of reduced speed. Seems to be confirmed by 511 Alberta.

[nj2Type-S]

^i wonder how long it'll take me to drive to vancouver if i leave on friday at 4am.

[RickDaTuner]

Originally posted by nj2Type-S
^i wonder how long it'll take me to drive to vancouver if i leave on friday at 4am.

You'd be there by lunch 3pm at the latest.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Road is definitely open, no delays late at night but it will be savage with the long weekend warriors.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Can anyone else confirm they have travelled through yesterday or today, I'm leaving Calgary at 6pm today to head to the Shuswap and I don't want to have to back track.

[CRXguy]

I missed the TCH opening by 1.5hrs. That detour sucked, but it was smooth sailing from Golden to Kamloops. Construction just west of banff. I would probably add another couple hours to your trip due to the amount of cars now and reduced speed limit in some parts.

[98type_r]

Just drove through it this morning. Some slow stretches down to 50 but my terribly bad. Maybe add 20 minutes travel time through the park at the time I drove through. 3 hours on the nose from NW Calgary to Invermere.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by 98type_r
Just drove through it this morning. Some slow stretches down to 50 but my terribly bad. Maybe add 20 minutes travel time through the park at the time I drove through. 3 hours on the nose from NW Calgary to Invermere.

Awesome thanks for the update! Can't wait to hit the road this afternoon.

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by 98type_r
Just drove through it this morning. Some slow stretches down to 50 but my terribly bad. Maybe add 20 minutes travel time through the park at the time I drove through. 3 hours on the nose from NW Calgary to Invermere.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Fairmont, here we come!

[nj2Type-S]

should i take highway 1 or take crowsnest pass to vancouver? thoughts?

both routes look ok on 511.

[Gainsbarre]

Originally posted by nj2Type-S
should i take highway 1 or take crowsnest pass to vancouver? thoughts?

both routes look ok on 511.

Crowsnest pass is so much longer :nut: . Take Highway 1!

I'm in Victoria now (left Calgary at 3 am) and it was smooth sailing pretty much the entire way on the TransCanada. Just east of Canmore looks to be where all the damage was done, but it wasn't busy at all when I went by (before 5 am...)

[nj2Type-S]

^thanks!

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Tomorrow is going to be a gong show between Canmore-Banff, there was barely any traffic and it added at least half an hour to my drive so far this evening.

[nj2Type-S]

we left sw calgary (bridlewood) at 345am today. no major delays around canmore and banff except, of course, for the sections of 50 km/h.

we're at kamloops right now to get some grub. thanks to everyone who gave feedback!

[CompletelyNumb]

Making the drive from Calgary to penticton right now. Just approaching the 50km section. So far it looks quite backed up.

[DeleriousZ]

My sister took off (driving) from YYC this morning at 5.30 and made it to kelowna in 6 hours. Said it was smooth sailing the whole way.

[thinmyster]

any updates today?

['93 SR-V]

West bound TC is backed up up about 1km east of the three sisters turn off coming up to Canmore... 30 minute delay heading into Canmore. Only delay we ran into from calgary to invermere.