Mountain parks get cash infusion

Total of $ 262M will help improve roads, bridges and campgrounds

A flurry of infrastructure spending, totalling $ 262 million, has been announced for four national mountain parks — including highway improvements and upgrades at popular tourist attractions such as Radium Hot Springs and Takakkaw Falls.

Late last week, three separate spending announcements were made by the federal government for Mount Revelstoke- Glacier, Yoho and Kootenay parks.

The $ 262 million in spending is on top of a $ 117.5 million investment into Banff National Park for highway paving, the widening of the Bow Valley Parkway and wildlife fence replacement.

Infrastructure improvements for national parks are much- needed, with a 2013 report warning that Parks Canada’s buildings and highways were falling into disrepair.

For Yoho and Kootenay national parks, which both share their boundaries with Banff, a total of $ 106 million was announced.

In Kootenay, the southwestern region of the Rockies, $ 44 million will be spent on Highway 93 South, Radium Hot Springs and work on the park’s bridges, campgrounds and day use areas.

Kwong said it will allow them to improve motorist safety and enhance the visitor experience to the park — including some work at the south gate into Kootenay.

There will also be work at Radium Hot Springs: adding an interactive display in the pedestrian tunnel going under the highway; bringing in a 1950s- style restaurant; replacing the roof and the flooring; and, upgrading geothermal heating for the facility.

Another $ 62 million will be spent in Yoho National Park, much of it going toward paving, guardrail replacement and slope stabilization along the Trans- Canada Highway.

“We want to make sure it’s as safe as can be for motorists,” said Kwong, noting other improvements will include repaving the Emerald Lake Road and putting up better signage at Takakkaw Falls.

In Mount Revelstoke- Glacier, a total of $ 156 million will go toward paving, bridge rehabilitation and avalanche mitigation on the TransCanada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden.

The paving is nearly finished, said Marnie DiGiandomenico, senior communications adviser for highway engineering services.

Another $ 77 million will go toward avalanche mitigation.

“It’s going to increase our traffic holding capacity,” she said, noting there will be larger parking areas for vehicles to wait when avalanche control is being done in winter.

It also includes five remotely activated avalanche systems, avalanche warning systems and lighting for the snow sheds.

“It’s only going to enhance our already- successful program with the Canadian Armed Forces,” DiGiandomenico said. “It certainly doesn’t replace it.”

In addition, there will be a new, 24- hour washroom facility built at Rogers Pass and trail improvements throughout both Revelstoke and Glacier parks.

The funding comes from the $ 2.8 billion committed by the federal government last November to support infrastructure improvements at national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas over the next five years.

In the 2013 report, Parks Canada raised concerns about deteriorating heritage buildings and visitor centres in Canada’s national parks and historic sites at a time when its resources were cut.

It noted more than half of dams, highways and bridges were in poor condition, while a third of historic buildings and visitor facilities were also in poor condition.

More announcements on improvements to facilities and buildings in national parks are expected prior to this fall’s federal election.