Highway 16 will reopen to allow traffic through Jasper National Park starting Friday (Aug. 9) provided conditions allow, according to Parks Canada.
The highway will open to all east and westbound traffic daily during the daytime from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT.
These times will now apply to commercial traffic as well.
Parks Canada warned that times and access would be subject to change without notice and depend on fire behaviour and operational needs.
Motorists will not be allowed to stop or exit off Highway 16 while travelling through Jasper National Park.
There will be no washrooms or refuelling options, and motorists must obey all posted speed limits and signage.
Peace officers will have enhanced patrols to ensure travel restrictions are followed.
Joe Zatylny, deputy managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, reminded drivers that there would be no chance for washroom breaks or refuelling while travelling through Jasper National Park.
“Everyone should make sure they have a full tank of gas before entering the park,” Zatylny said during a provincial wildfire update on Thursday (Aug. 8).
“I also want to remind those planning travel on Highway 16 to drive cautiously and follow all posted speed limits and signage to help avoid any new emergency situations.”
Zatylny noted that one of the primary considerations when deciding to reopen Highway 16 was fire behaviour and the need to move emergency services in and out of the townsite.
The reopening applies only to Highway 16 and does not include Highway 93N – the Icefields Parkway – or other roadways throughout the park, which remain closed to all non-emergency traffic.
Parks Canada stated it would share details on reopening those roadways when the information becomes available.
Highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway, had been closed to all traffic for more than a week due to the ongoing wildfires.
The roadway reopened to commercial traffic on Aug. 1 during specific time intervals, and evacuees were allowed to travel from British Columbia to Alberta with an RCMP escort.
Travellers can check 511 Alberta for the latest updates.
