Town of Banff

Banff Avenue Closures June/July 2008

The downtown 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic for two 3-week periods in June and July, 2008, as we complete the Banff refreshing development project.

Here is the schedule of up-coming construction detours:

June 9th - June 27th    
Full closure of Banff Avenue to vehicular traffic - Caribou intersection closed, Wolf and Buffalo Street intersections will be open.

June 27th - July 2nd
Banff Avenue and all intersections open.

July 3rd - July 24th
Full closure of Banff Avenue to vehicular traffic - Caribou intersection closed, Wolf and Buffalo Street intersections will be open.

Why More Closures?

Banff refreshing has been greatly impacted by the weather this year, and we are now three weeks behind schedule. The original schedule showed us starting work as early as April 14th.  Due to snow on the ground and frost in the ground, rain, and winter weather conditions, work actually began May 12th.

While it may look like work is completed in the closed intersections, the concrete is not hard enough to allow for the weight of vehicular traffic for at least 7 - 10 days after pouring. Each intersection takes approximately 17 days to complete. This includes time for excavating, forming, three separate concrete pours and curing (which can take 7 -10 days per pour).

Although inconvenient, it's important to point out that this year's work is very different than last year's. Most of our time will be spent waiting for concrete to dry as opposed to the noise and dust issues that accompanied the deep surface work that happened underground in 2007.

We have met with many business owners and concerned citizens regarding our options for construction. Most agree that best option is two, three-week closures of Banff Avenue. We will open Banff Avenue to traffic for the five days over the July long weekend. This option will reduce traffic congestion around the downtown and allow for construction to proceed as quickly as possible.

Tour buses, transit and general traffic will be routed North down Lynx/Bear Street and South down Beaver Street. Since only the Caribou intersection will be closed, and both the Buffalo and Wolf Street intersections will be open, we believe traffic will flow effectively through the downtown core. Please notify tour operators of the detours.


If you have questions or concerns, please call our Banff refreshing hotline at 763.7488.