This release was issued under a previous government.

New sections of Highway 40 and the Forestry Trunk Road are opening to traffic – ahead of schedule – on November 12, providing access for back country visitors, snowmobilers and hunters. Both roads were originally expected to remain closed until spring 2014 due to extensive flood-related damage.

“We were able to re-open these roads months ahead of time, thanks to 18,000 hours of hard work and dedication by Alberta Transportation staff and contractors. Our government knows that these are important roads for Albertans who live, work and play in the foothills and across Kananaskis.”

- Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation

This brings the total to 119 kilometres of these two roads now safely re-opened to public traffic, after extensive repairs due to damage from the June floods.  

A 33-kilometre stretch of Highway 40, from Highwood House to Lost Lemon Hill, is being reopened. Nearly 120 sections required repair, from ditches and slopes to entire sections of highway.

A 14-kilometre stretch of the Forestry Trunk Road, from Cataract Creek to the junction of Highways 541 and 40 at Highwood House also required repairs to 20 sections of highway.

“Our government is committed to recovery for all regions hit by June’s floods. This includes rebuilding the highway network. That’s a promise made and a promise we continue to keep.”

- Kyle Fawcett, Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southwest Alberta

The Redford government recognizes the importance of this area to all park users and has committed resources to restore not only the roads and bridges, but our important recreational areas as well.

“Restoring safe access to this majestic area is a major accomplishment for government and our park users. We continue our efforts to rebuild the flood-damaged trails and infrastructure that support the many wonderful recreational and natural experiences that Kananaskis Country offers Albertans and visitors from around the world.”

- Dr. Richard Starke, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Additional Information

  • Travellers should expect short graveled sections on Highway 40 where the roadway had previously washed out.
  • Construction activities continue on both roadways. Travellers must watch for crews and equipment (including large rock trucks) working at various sites.
  • Drivers must obey all signs and speed reductions in place through work zones.
  • Highway 40 will be closed at the winter gates, as usual, from December 1 to June 15.
  • The southern-most 19 kilometres of the Forestry Trunk Road, between the junction of Highway 532 and Cataract Creek, remain closed.
  • A short gravel detour is in place at Lineham Creek on Highway 40, limiting traffic to one lane over a temporary bridge.
  • Additional work on both roads will be required in 2014.

As of today, the province has opened 909 kilometres of the 985 kilometres of provincial roads closed due to flood damage (92%). Following the floods, more than 300 bridges were inspected for evidence of damage. Most of the major bridges have been either fully or partially re-opened, with work continuing on many of them.

By the numbers

Highway 40:

  • 12,000: Hours worked
  • 21: Pieces of equipment at peak times
  • 120: Locations worked on
  • 19,000: Cubic metres of material moved (enough to fill 15,000 dump trucks)
  • 4,500: Cubic metres of rock rip rap
  • 33 kilometres: Total length being opened
  • $4.6 million: Investment to date

Forestry Trunk Road:

  • 6,000: Hours worked
  • 22: Pieces of equipment at peak times
  • 20: Locations worked on
  • 76,000: Cubic metres of material moved (enough to fill 6,300 dump trucks)
  • 2,500: Cubic metres of rock rip rap
  • 14 kilometres: Total length being opened
  • $1.6 million: Investment to date

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Multimedia

Hwy 40 repairs at Lineman Creek

See more Highway 40 and Forestry Trunk Road photos

Interactive map of Alberta's flooded highways