This newsletter is for people who live in the St. Julien Road construction zone and anyone who has registered to learn about the project and its impact on drivers, hikers, commuters and visitors. If you know someone who may be interested in this project, please encourage them to sign up at banff.ca/stjulienroad

St. Julien Road Reconstruction - September 4 Update

Last week construction continued on installing the rock retaining walls the length of the road. Road structure work continued with gravel installation and compaction.

Work continued on trenching for the electrical conduit installation for new streetlights.

The crews also discovered several other utility lines, such as internet and power, had been installed at a much shallower depth than anticipated, and were located in areas that created a conflict with the new road work planned at the intersection with St. Julien Way. The lower depth due to bedrock close to the surface required additional routing and work by the private utility companies.

Extended hours
In order to make up lost time caused by the additional routing work and similar delays relating to connections with private services, the construction company has been given permission to work extended work hours next weekend. They will start at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, and the work will involve pouring concrete for curbs. The crews will also work on Sunday, September 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the Sunday work will be limited to workers setting up markers and guides for the concrete pouring to resume on Monday.

This week, the contractor and subtrade workers will continue building the rock retaining wall, extending gravel installation and compaction and curb work.

All properties lose access for curb installation
The pouring of concrete curbs and gutters this week sets the level for the road and sidewalk/trail. The work involves cement trucks extruding the forms in continuous segments up the road. Concrete requires several days to set before any vehicles are allowed on the concrete.

This work will completely close vehicle access to private driveways for several days during and after the concrete is poured. Please review the matrix below for closure dates and locations, which are subject to weather conditions.

Property owners are encouraged to use the dedicated parking zones outside the construction area during this period, if vehicles are required for any trips.

Setting string lines and guides will be set starting on Thursday, September 8. The concrete curb and gutter installation is scheduled for September 9, 10, 12 and 13. Curing is expected to continue to September 14 and 15.

Asphalt paving is planned for about 10 days later, which will also cut off access to properties for three to four days. Please take note of the construction matrix for closures and plan ahead to access your vehicle.

Click on schedule matrix to download an easy-to-read PDF

If you live on St. Julien and have questions, please contact us:

email stjulienroad@banff.ca
phone 403.762.1296

Click to download an easy-to-read PDF map of the parking zones dedicated to St. Julien property owners:

Dangerous construction site

St. Julien Road is closed to public access by vehicle, bicycle or by foot. St. Julien Road will be closed until October.

Only residents who live on St. Julien are permitted to enter the street, and only when safe to do so, in coordination with work crews.

People must not put themselves in danger by attempting to access St. Julien Road – please stay outside the construction area for your own safety, and please help direct visitors to safe detours on Tunnel Mountain.

Follow detours to Tunnel Mountain Trail

The lower trailhead to the Tunnel Mountain Trail will remain closed for the next few weeks.

Access to the trail is now only possible via the upper trailhead on Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Hikers must not attempt to access the lower trailhead through St. Julien Road. This is a dangerous and often impassable construction site. Use maps to detour safely.

Signage is in place to direct hikers to detour to Wolverine Street and up the Ken Madsen Path, through the Banff Centre, and up St. Julien Way to Tunnel Mountain Drive and the upper trailhead. Large signs are placed at intersections, and "bread-crumb" lawn signs help hikers navigate the full route to Tunnel Mountain Drive. (See map below)

Banff Centre access

Pedestrian access to Banff Centre will be maintained on the Ken Madsen Path behind the cemetery, accessed from Wolverine Street or Buffalo Street. Vehicle access is limited to Buffalo Street and Tunnel Mountain Drive (see map 1 below).

Two detour options to Tunnel Mountain Trail

Hikers heading to the Tunnel Mountain Trail are now detoured away from St. Julien Road. The lower trailhead on St. Julien is completely inaccessible.

Hikers are required to detour to the Ken Madsen Path and around the Banff Centre campus as the only route to the upper trailhead on Tunnel Mountain Drive. The parking lot on St. Julien is closed and there is limited parking at the Upper Trailhead. The best way to access the Tunnel Mountain Trail is by walking from downtown Banff.

Hiking to Tunnel Mountain Summit
- Faster Route via Banff Centre

Hiking to Tunnel Mountain Summit
- Scenic Route via Bow River & Surprise Corner

Contractor: Bremner Engineering and Construction Ltd (BECL), based in the Bow Valley, was selected as prime construction contractor in a national open tender.

Project Manager: Stephen Allan, PMP, Engineering Coordinator, Town of Banff

For more information:

email stjulienroad@banff.ca
phone 403.762.1296
web banff.ca/stjulienroad