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On Monday, Parks Canada announced a $71 million investment into four national parks in Alberta and BC.
The funding is meant to improve critical infrastructure, visitor safety and visitor experience at Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Banff national parks.
The funding will be provided over three years for upgrades to emergency dispatch services in Banff and Jasper, water and sewer upgrades in the community of Lake Louise and several road improvement projects.
“Parks Canada’s robust roadway improvements through the iconic mountain national parks will provide safer traveling experiences for Canadians to connect with nature,” said Terry Duguid, minister responsible for Parks Canada.
“Improvements to Parks Canada’s first response capabilities with dispatch equipment upgrades will maintain quick and effective response times in dangerous situations.”
Parks Canada will be conducting repairs and rehabilitation on primary and secondary highways in all four parks, which will include design work for bridges in Jasper National Park.
In addition, Lake Louise Drive will be redesigned.
The road weaves west towards Lake Louise, the Fairmont Chateau and several hiking trails.
Parks Canada says the road hosts over one million vehicles annually and the redesign will improve safety for transit vehicles, private vehicles and cyclists.
A news release explains this is part of a recent announcement of $557 million over three years to ensure the continuation of projects and maintenance works.