Traffic delays expected in Jasper National Park as crews remove hazard trees

File photo. A sign along Highway 93 in Alberta, also known as the Banff-Windermere Parkway south of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Icefields Parkway, welcomes visitors to Jasper National Park. (Alex Antoneshyn / CTV News Edmonton)

Jasper National Park officials are asking drivers to be aware of roadwork and traffic delays as seasonal tree cleanup and electrical work begins.

Crews in the park will be cleaning up hazardous trees as well as removing specific trees to reduce wildfire risk while also making upgrades to ATCO electrical service in the area.

Through February and March, drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic in these places:

• Icefields Parkway (93N south to Honeymoon Lake Campground);
• Wabasso Road (93A);
• Highway 16 west;
• Maligne Lake Road (first nine km);
• Geraldine Road;
• Moab Lake Road; and
• Pyramid Lake Road (work here will extend into April).

Other work areas will include:

• Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso, Snaring River, Snaring Overflow, Kerkeslin, Honeymoon Lake and Miette campgrounds;
• Edith Cavell Road and Maligne Canyon (closed areas); and
• Pyramid Bench (north of town).

There may be limited access to pull-offs and viewpoints in these areas as well, although work has been planned to minimize impacts to trails, including cross-country ski trails, a statement from Parks Canada said.

Chainsaws and heavy equipment will be used during cleanup operations. Smoke may also be visible from the town because of pile burning on Pyramid Bench.

Real-time trail access updates can be found on the Jasper National Park Trail Conditions page of the Government of Canada website.