The Victoria Day weekend is a busy time in Alberta, with people travelling all across the province for camping, family fun and other adventures. We’ve assembled a quick guide to help you and your family get the most out of the weekend.
Banff National Park and other provincial parks
The Banff and Lake Louise Tourism organization has built a website with tips, tools and resources to help visitors navigate the area.
WATCH: Drivers reminded to be patient on busy roads on May long weekend.
The website also features information on bike rentals, walking trails and tours. The organization also has a trip planning tool to “helps reduce congestion at popular locations by outlining different times to visit key attractions and promoting lesser-known areas,” the release said.
Alberta Parks has issued a liquor ban effective May 17 at 12 p.m. It is in effect until 6 p.m. May 21. The following parks fall under the ban:
- Aspen Beach Provincial Park
- Dillberry Lake Provincial Park
- Jarvis Bay Provincial Park
- Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
- Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
- Garner Lake Provincial Park
- Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
- Cypress Hills Provincial Park
“This temporary liquor ban is implemented to deter criminal and offensive behaviour, underage drinking and excessive partying on the May long weekend, which were concerns at these campgrounds previously,” the website said.
WATCH: Provincial officials ask park users to respect the land and each other this weekend.
Taking your ATV out for a spin? Don’t drink and drive
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is urging ATV users not to drink and drive this weekend.
“An average of 14 people die each year in ATV incidents — and more than half of all ATV fatalities between 2002 and 2013 tested positive for alcohol,” AHS said in a news release Thursday.
AHS is also asking drivers to always wear a helmet and get hands-on training before taking the vehicle out.
“Rollovers cause more than half of ATV deaths,” the release said. “Learn what makes an ATV roll and how you can prevent it.”
Fire bans across the province
It may be tempting to have a campfire this weekend; however, depending on where you are going, there may be a fire ban in place.
Be sure to check the Global News fire ban page which has a detailed list of bans and advisories across the province. The province also has a detailed fire ban webpage as well.
WATCH: High gas prices in Calgary hurting people driving RVs.
Calgary Transit disruptions
Calgary Transit will be carrying out a range of repair and maintenance projects on the LRT lines meaning service to some of the city’s stations will be interrupted over the long weekend.
All downtown CTrain stations will be closed starting Friday at 7:30 p.m. through to Monday. Shuttle buses will replace the trains to bring passengers throughout the downtown core.
Red Line
- No CTrain service between Sunnyside and Victoria Park stations. Red Line shuttle buses will connect you to all stations in between. View shuttle map.
- Going northwest (Tuscany) – catch shuttle buses on 6 Avenue S.W.
- Going south (Somerset) – catch shuttle buses on 9 Avenue S.W.
- Trains will run normally between Tuscany and Sunnyside, and between Somerset and Victoria Park stations.
Blue Line
- No CTrain service between Sunalta and Bridgeland stations. Blue Line shuttle buses will connect you to all stations in between. View shuttle map.
- Going northeast (Saddletowne) – catch shuttle buses on 9 Avenue S.W.
- Going west (69 Street) – catch shuttle buses on 6 Avenue S.W.
- CTrains will run normally between 69 Street and Sunalta, and between Saddletowne and Bridgeland stations.
Calgary road closures
When heading on the roads this weekend be aware of a few construction areas that might add to your travel time.
The 4 Street Bridge in Mission will be closed for the long weekend due to road base and asphalt repairs. Drivers will need to find alternate routes for the next three days. The road is being fixed on the long weekend because an extra day is needed for construction, according to Christopher McGeachy with the city.
Glenmore Trail westbound will also see some lane closures this upcoming holiday weekend. Construction will begin to replace the CP Spur Bridge with a roadway starting on May 18.
Drivers should be aware the ramp from southbound Deerfoot Trail to Glenmore Trail west will be closed and the road will be reduced to two lanes eastbound and one lane westbound from May 18 to 22. Glenmore Trail westbound can be accessed from southbound Deerfoot Trail from Blackfoot Trail according to the City of Calgary’s website. Throughout the summer, motorists should also be aware that speed limits have been reduced to 50 km/h for the entire construction zone.
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