The Kicking Horse Canyon, located just east of Golden, BC, is one of the most rugged and scenic sections to be found on the Trans-Canada Highway. As a tourist and commercial transportation corridor, the highway carries more than 10,000 vehicles daily during the summer. While the mix varies by season, up to 30% of the traffic consists of commercial vehicles moving millions of dollars in goods to serve interprovincial and international trade. Three phases of work have transformed 21 kilometres of narrow, winding two-lane highway into a modern four-lane, 100 km/ standard. Construction of the fourth and final phase to complete the remaining – and most difficult – 4.8 kilometres is expected to begin in 2020.
Important clarification on traffic during construction
There have been media references to "extended full highway closures beginning next summer". While early project work is expected to begin late next summer, as a result of significant public and stakeholder engagement, the traffic management plan being explored would apply the following principles:
- Avoiding closures and minimizing even brief stoppages during the daytime in the summer.
- Potential for extended 24-hour closures of up to 5-6 weeks in the spring shoulder season and up to 10-11 weeks in the fall shoulder season, with brief peak-hour breaks for local commuter traffic.
- Emphasis on night-time work, year-round. This is when shorter full closures might occur.
Please see Planning for Construction Traffic Management for additional information.
Kicking Horse Canyon Project Phase 4
Services and Information Topics
Kicking Horse on Flickr
The Kicking Horse Canyon winds through breathtaking scenery in the Rocky Mountains.
Kicking Horse on YouTube
Watch some of the exciting work being done in the Kicking Horse Canyon.
DriveBC
Plan your route, find out about current road conditions, or report a highway problem.
TranBC Blog
Find stories about the transportation work going on in the Kicking Horse Canyon.
