$1.1M in Repairs Underway to Reopen Spray Lakes Road

On June 1, 2026, an unexpected rockslide occurred on Spray Lakes Road (Highway 742) just beyond the Canmore Nordic Centre. The road was closed, and Alberta Forestry and Parks, which manages the surrounding area, also shut down access to the Grassi Lakes day-use area.

These closures have affected both local residents and visitors, as the road provides access to other popular hiking destinations such as Ha Ling Peak and East End of Rundle (EEOR).

On August 13, 2026, the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors spokesperson, Husam Khalo, said the work is now expected to be completed by the end of August.

That timeline has been pushed back from an earlier estimate. In a July 30 email, Alberta Parks said it had been informed that the work, weather permitting, would be completed by mid-August.

Khalo explained that the closure remains necessary because "the full scope of emergency rock-scaling repairs must be completed before the road can be fully reopened to normal operations."

Repair costs are estimated at $1.1 million. The work involves systematically removing loose and unstable rock from the slope above the roadway and installing rock bolts to secure larger sections of rock where required.

Due to the complexity and hazards of the project, intermittent traffic access is not possible. As Khalo noted, "The ongoing overhead work is removing loose blocks of rock from the slope and allowing them to fall onto the road," making it unsafe to permit vehicles or pedestrians in the area.

Riley Gough, spokesperson for Alberta Forestry and Parks, commented that "Going into the closure area is not safe, and enforcement action may be taken toward anyone trespassing."

Gough was unable to provide an update on the number of people charged for violating the closed area and noted that, "Conservation officers remind visitors to obey all closures at all times, including during long weekends. Alberta Forestry and Parks and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors are working together to ensure the appropriate resources are available to enforce and monitor the closure area for public safety."

CTV News previously reported on Aug. 5 that 13 people had been charged with entering the closed areas around Grassi Lakes and Highway 742, while two others had received warnings.

For now, local residents and visitors are advised to avoid the area and respect all closure notices. If construction proceeds as scheduled, access could be restored by the end of August, although the timeline remains subject to change. Full trail access and closure information, with a map, is available here.