Alberta Highway 93

{{short description|Provincial highway in Banff and Jasper national parks in Alberta, Canada}}

{{Infobox road

| province = AB

| type = Hwy

| route = 93

| alternate_name = Banff-Windermere Highway
Icefields Parkway

| map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|type=line|stroke-width=3}}

| map_custom=yes

| image = Icefields Parkway from the north side of Parker Ridge.jpg

| image_notes = Highway 93 as seen from the observation deck on the north side of Parker Ridge.

| length_km = 268

| established = 1940

| direction_a = South

| direction_b = North

| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|93}} at B.C. border at Vermilion Pass

| previous_type = Hwy

| next_type = Hwy

| previous_route = 88

| next_route = 100

| rural_municipalities = I.D. No. 9, I.D. No. 12, Jasper

| junction = {{jct|state=AB|TCH|1}} near Lake Louise
{{jct|state=AB|Hwy|1A}} near Lake Louise
{{Jct|state=AB|Hwy|11}} in Saskatchewan River Crossing

| terminus_b = {{jct|state=AB|TCH|16}} in Jasper

| restrictions = No commercial vehicles and National Parks pass required along the Icefields Parkway. Snow tires or chains required Nov. 1 to Mar. 31.

}}

Highway 93 is a north–south highway in Alberta, Canada. It is also known as the Banff-Windermere Parkway south of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the Icefields Parkway north of the Trans-Canada Highway. It travels through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and is maintained by Parks Canada for its entire length.{{cite web|title=Internal Audit and Evaluation Documents: Evaluation of Parks Canada's Through Highway Management|url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/rpts/rve-par/69/index_e.asp|website=Parks Canada|access-date=June 22, 2016|date=November 22, 2010|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514005628/http://www.pc.gc.ca/docs/pc/rpts/rve-par/69/index_e.asp|url-status=dead}} It runs from the British Columbia border at Vermilion Pass in the south, where it becomes British Columbia Highway 93, to its terminus at the junction with the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16) at Jasper.Alberta Official Road Map (Map) (2015 ed.). City of Edmonton Transportation Services for Alberta Culture and Tourism. § J–2, K–3, L–3, and L–4. The route takes its number from U.S. Route 93, which runs uninterrupted south to central Arizona, and was initially designated as '93' in 1959.

Route description

= Banff-Windermere Highway =

Image:Castle Rock Banff.JPG, in Banff National Park, as seen from Highway 93.]]

The southern portion of the route is part of the Banff-Windermere Highway, a {{cvt|104|km}} highway that travels from British Columbia Highway 95 at Radium Hot Springs, through Kootenay National Park and Vermilion Pass across the Continental Divide, to the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) at Castle Junction. The final {{cvt|10|km|mi}} of the highway are in Alberta and Banff National Park. Prior to 1959, the highway was designated as Highway 1B.{{cite web|title=Shell British Columbia-Alberta Highway Map|url=http://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~212315~5500350:Shell-British-Columbia---Alberta-|website=David Rumsey Map Collection|publisher=The H.M. Gousha Company|access-date=June 23, 2016|date=1956}}

= Trans-Canada Highway =

Highway 93 connects with the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) at Castle Junction, midway between Banff and Lake Louise.{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.ca/maps/@52.4992803,-117.72579,6.67z|title=Highway 93 in Alberta|access-date=October 23, 2017}} Highway 93 follows the Trans-Canada Highway for {{cvt|28|km}} northwest, diverging from highway 1 west of Lake Louise. Highway 1 continues west to Yoho National Park. The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) also links Lake Louise and Banff. This road parallels Highway 1 and, at the midpoint, passes Castle junction where it links with Highway 93.

= Icefields Parkway =

{{multiple image

| width = 200

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Айсфилд.jpg

| caption1 = Highway 93 near Saskatchewan Crossing

| image2 = Icefields Parkway northern terminus looking north at Trans Canada AB16.jpg

| caption2 = Looking north at the northern terminus of the Icefields Parkway.

| image3 = Unkn. peaks fom Icefields Parkway.jpg

| caption3 = Watermelon Peak's southern outlier by Icefields Parkway

}}

The Icefields Parkway ({{langx|fr|Promenade des Glaciers}}), is a {{cvt|230|km}} long scenic road that parallels the Continental Divide, traversing the rugged landscape of the Canadian Rockies, travelling through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. It is named for features such as the Columbia Icefield, visible from the parkway. It links Lake Louise with Jasper to the north. At its southern end, the Icefields Parkway terminates at Highway 1. Highway 1 west leads to Yoho National Park in British Columbia and Highway 1 east to Lake Louise and the Town of Banff. A second parkway, the Bow Valley Parkway also links Lake Louise and the Town of Banff. Known as Highway 1A, this road parallels Highway 1 and, at the midpoint, passes the Castle Mountain junction where Highway 93 south, or the Banff-Windermere Highway, branches southwest into Kootenay National Park in British Columbia.

File:20130804-Bow Lake Pan.jpg

The Icefields Parkway was predated by the Glacier Trail, which opened in 1885 after the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed and brought increased tourist traffic to Banff National Park. In 1931, the federal government commissioned the construction of a single-track road between Lake Louise and Jasper in the Great Depression as a relief project. In order to employ as many people as possible, the road was constructed by hand and employed 600 men.{{cite web|title=A brief history of the Icefields Parkway - Jasper National Park|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/itineraires-itineraries/promenadedesglaciers-icefieldsparkway/PGhistoire-IPhistory|website=Parks Canada Agency|publisher=Government of Canada | access-date=October 23, 2017 | language=en | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723080950/https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/itineraires-itineraries/promenadedesglaciers-icefieldsparkway/PGhistoire-IPhistory | archive-date=July 23, 2017 | date=June 1, 2017}} The road was completed in 1940; however, the 1950s saw an increase in automobile use and increased traffic along the parkway. In 1961, a reconstructed paved and modern highway was opened, and in 1969, Brewster Sightseeing began to operate snowmobile tours on the Athabasca Glacier, located just beside the highway.

File:Mts. Athabasca & Andromeda from Icefields Parkway.jpg

The parkway is busy in July and August with up to 100,000 vehicles a month. The parkway is mainly two lanes with occasional passing lanes. It minimizes grades and hairpin turns. Snow can be expected at any time of year and extreme weather is common in winter.

File:Peyto Lake June 2018.jpg

A Canadian national parks permit is required to travel on the Icefields Parkway; stations near Lake Louise, Jasper and Saskatchewan River Crossing enforce the law. Commercial trucks are prohibited.{{cite web|title=Banff National Park - Park Passes|url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/pass/FAQ-pass.aspx|website=Parks Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420144757/http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/pass/FAQ-pass.aspx|archive-date=April 20, 2016|date=December 3, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The speed limit is {{cvt|90|kph|mph|round=5}} although the limit is reduced at Saskatchewan River Crossing and the Columbia Icefield area. In winter, chains or winter-rated radial tires are required by law and road closures may occur without warning. There is no cell coverage.{{cite web|title=Icefields Parkway - Banff National Park|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/les10-top10/glaciers-icefields|website=Parks Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=October 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919223742/https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/les10-top10/glaciers-icefields|archive-date=September 19, 2017|date=April 1, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

File:Icefields Parkway NCC.jpg

Major intersections

Starting from the south end of Highway 93:

{{Jctint

|county_special=Banff

|cspan=17

|location=none

|lspan=5

|km=0.0

|mspan=2

|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|93|name1=Banff–Windermere Highway|location1=Kootenay National Park|city2=Radium Hot Springs}}

|notes=Continental Divide; continuation into British Columbia
{{Coord|51.228776|-116.050600|format=dec|name=Vermilion Pass}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|km=none

|place=Vermilion Pass – {{convert|1680|m|ft|abbr=on}}

}}

{{Jctint

|type=concur

|km=10.0

|mspan=2

|road={{Jct|state=AB|TCH|1|dir1=east|city1=Banff|city2=Calgary}}

{{Jct|state=AB|Hwy|1A|to1=yes|name1=Bow Valley Parkway|city1=Castle Mountain}}

|notes=Hwy 93 branches northwest;
south end of Hwy 1 concurrency
{{Coord|51.264565|-115.932311|format=dec|name=TCH 1 east}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|km=none

|place=North end of Banff–Windermere Highway

}}

{{Jctbridge

|km=32.5

|place=Crosses the Bow River — {{Coord|51.402339|-116.159023|format=dec|name=Bow River}}

}}

{{ABint

|location=Lake Louise

|km=35.5

|road={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|1A|dir1=east|name1=Bow Valley Parkway|road|Lake Louise Drive}}

|notes={{Coord|51.426110|-116.173373|format=dec|name=Lake Louise}}

}}

{{Jctint

|type=concur

|location=none

|lspan=9

|km=38.2

|mspan=2

|road={{jct|state=AB|TCH|1|dir1=west|location1=Yoho National Park|location2=Field|location3=Golden}}

|notes=Hwy 93 branches north;
North end of Hwy 1 concurrency
{{Coord|51.441419|-116.201168|format=dec|name=TCH 1 west}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|type=toll

|km=none

|place=Icefields Parkway begins • National Park pass required

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=38.9

|road=Park gate

|notes={{Coord|51.444582|-116.209127|format=dec|name=South Park Gate}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=71.0

|road=Crowfoot Glacier (roadside pullout)

|notes={{Coord|51.663857|-116.439681|format=dec|name=Crowfoot Glacier}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=73.5

|road=unnamed road – Bow Lake

|notes={{Coord|51.682351|-116.461960|format=dec|name=Bow Lake}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|type=toll

|km=78.4

|mspan=2

|place=Bow Summit – {{cvt|2069|m|ft}}

}}

{{Jctint

|type=toll

|km=none

|road=unnamed road – Peyto Lake

|notes={{Coord|51.719901|-116.494699|format=dec|name=Bow Summit}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=108.8

|road=Mistaya Canyon (roadside pullout)

|notes={{Coord|51.941084| -116.717254|format=dec|name=Mistaya Canyon}}

}}

{{Jctbridge

|type=toll

|km=112.4

|place=Crosses the North Saskatchewan River — {{Coord|51.970431| -116.720373|format=dec|name=N Sask River}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|location_special=Saskatchewan
River Crossing

|km=114.0

|road={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|11|dir1=east|city1=Rocky Mountain House|city2=Red Deer}}

|notes={{Coord|51.973260| -116.742946|format=dec|name=Hwy 11}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|location=none

|km=149.6

|road=Parker Ridge (roadside pullout)

|notes={{Coord|52.177048| -117.055986|format=dec|name=Parker Ridge}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|type=toll

|county_special=Banff–Jasper line

|location=none

|km=159.1

|place=Sunwapta Pass – {{convert|2030|m|ft|abbr=on}} — {{Coord|52.213759| -117.163609|format=dec|name=Sunwapta Pass}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|county_special=Jasper

|cspan=11

|location_special=Columbia Icefield

|km=163.5

|road=Icefields Centre, Athabasca Glacier

|notes={{Coord|52.219679|-117.224859|format=dec|name=Columbia Icefield}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|location=none

|lspan=8

|km=211.9

|road=unnamed road – Sunwapta Falls

|notes={{Coord|52.537049|-117.641038|format=dec|name=Sunwapta Falls}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=235.3

|road={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93A|dir1=north|location1=Athabasca Falls}}

|notes={{Coord|52.668965|-117.881529|format=dec|name=Athabasca Falls}}

}}

{{Jctbridge

|type=toll

|km=257.9

|place=Crosses the Athabasca River — {{Coord|52.811830|-118.041064|format=dec|name=Athabasca River}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=258.7

|road={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93A|dir1=south|location1=Marmot Basin}}

|notes={{Coord|52.814144|-118.050557|format=dec|name=Hwy 93A}}

}}

{{ABint

|type=toll

|km=259.2

|road=Park gate

|notes={{Coord|52.818584|-118.052744|format=dec|name=North Park Gate}}

}}

{{ABint

|km=263.6

|road=Whistlers Road – Jasper Skytram

|notes={{Coord|52.854548|-118.077977|format=dec|name=Whistlers Rd}}

}}

{{ABint

|km=264.0

|road={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93A|dir1=north|city1=Jasper}}

|notes={{Coord|52.858376|-118.079377|format=dec|name=Hwy 93A}}

}}

{{Jctbridge

|km=264.7

|place=Crosses the Miette River — {{Coord|52.862593|-118.086487|format=dec|name=Miette River}}

}}

{{Jctplace

|location=Jasper

|state=AB

|lspan=2

|type=toll

|km=265.4

|mspan=2

|place=Icefields Parkway ends

}}

{{ABint

|km=none

|road={{jct|state=AB|YH|16|location1=Prince George|location2=Kamloops|city3=Edmonton}}

Connaught Drive – Jasper

|notes=Hwy 93 northern terminus
{{Coord|52.866548|-118.093284|format=dec|name=TCH 16}}

}}

{{Panorama|image=Image:Icefields_Parkway_-_Mount_Amery_-_Alexandra_River,_Canada.jpg |fullwidth=12000 |fullheight=1811 |caption=360° panorama of Mount Amery and the Alexandra River in the Icefields Parkway of Jasper and Banff national parks. Low clouds drift along as the morning sun rises over Mount Wilson. |height=160}}

Highway 93A

{{Infobox

|above = 40px

|subheader={{Big|Highway 93A}}

| headerstyle = background:#006A4D;

| label1 =Location

| data1 =Jasper National Park

| header2 = {{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes

| title ={{font color|white|Southern section}}

| label1 =Length

| data1 ={{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| label2 =South end

| data2 ={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93|nolink1=yes}} near Athabasca Falls

| label3 =North end

| data3 ={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93|nolink1=yes}} near Marmot Basin

}}

| header3 = {{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes

| title ={{font color|white|Northern section}}

| label1 =Length

| data1 ={{convert|1.7|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}

| label2 =South end

| data2 ={{jct|state=AB|Hwy|93|nolink1=yes}} near Jasper

| label3 =North end

| data3 ={{jct|state=AB|TCH|16}} near Jasper

}}

Just south of Jasper, a short spur of the parkway branches off as Highway 93A, providing access to businesses on the south side of Jasper and providing an alternative route into the community via Hazel Avenue. Another Highway 93A spur farther south is {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, is along Highway 93 and provides alternative access to viewpoints and other attractions within Jasper National Park.

Highway 93A south of Jasper is narrow and the pavement uneven, with an average limit of {{convert|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. Brush grows up to the side of the highway so animals can be difficult to see. Old Fort Point Road branches east of Highway 93A and quickly leads to Old Fort Point Bridge, where vehicles can cross the Athabasca River.{{Cite web |title=Old Point Fort Bridge |url=https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=alberta/oldfortpointbridge/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=historicbridges.org}}

References

External links

[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/les10-top10/glaciers-icefields Banff National Park - Icefields Parkway]
[https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/itineraires-itineraries/promenadedesglaciers-icefieldsparkway Jasper National Park - Icefields Parkway]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150214123837/http://www.icefieldsparkway.ca/ Icefield Parkway.ca]
[https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/places-to-go/road-trips/icefields-parkway/ Travel Alberta - Icefields Parkway]

Category:Alberta's Rockies

093

Alberta Highway 93

Route description

= Banff-Windermere Highway =

= Trans-Canada Highway =

= Icefields Parkway =

Major intersections

Highway 93A

See also

References

External links