Please be advised that construction activities will be occurring on the causeway bridge at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park between November 2025 to early March 2026. To accommodate construction, there will be no access to Big Island during the construction period. We recognize the closures are inconvenient; however, they are necessary to ensure public safety and support construction efficiency.
The Government of Alberta is committed to improving high-traffic recreational areas across the province. The project will ensure infrastructure meets current standards, improves public safety, and supports positive visitor experiences.
To support construction activities, Alberta Parks will have to intermittently close access to some areas of the park to reduce danger to visitors as contractors work in the area with heavy equipment, and to improve efficiency of the contractor to complete the works without having to keep track of the public in the area.
Conservation Officers have the ability to enforce area closures under the Provincial Parks Act. Please do not cross construction barriers and follow all signage.
Dates are subject to change.
Updates to area closures from November 2025 through March 2026 will be posted in the future as construction progresses and project schedule details are finalized.
Access to Long Island that has the year-round Comfort Camping, the Community Facility, and Boat Launch will remain throughout construction. The access to these facilities/amenities and operations will not be impacted by the construction.
Access to Big Island of Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park will be closed for construction from November 2025 to March 2026.
KEY POINTS – SEPTEMBER 2025
Visitors looking for recreational alternatives can call the Alberta Parks Information Line at 1-877-537-2757. For further information about the closures, please see the attached Area Closure Map and Frequently Asked Questions.
AHS has issued a Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) advisory for Lac La Biche Lake.
A fecal (enterococcus) advisory has been declared for Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park – Camper’s Beach.
Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria currently present in the water, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is advising the public not to swim or wade at this beach area, effective immediately.
Elevated levels of fecal bacteria were detected via testing of the lake water at this beach location.
At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water. As well, there is the possibility of skin, ear, and eye infections with water contact.
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water
For detailed information, visit AHS Health Advisories.
An inspection by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors identified structural issues on the bridge on the causeway leading to SWCPP. The identified issues require immediate load reductions to ensure the safe use of the bridge:
|
LOADING TYPE |
JUNE 2023 REDUCTION |
|
CS1 |
11.4 tonne (25,100 lbs) |
|
CS2 |
19.9 tonne (43,800 lbs) |
|
CS3 |
25.8 tonne (56,800 lbs) |
CS1 is defined as an axle spacing of less than 4.5m. This means that any truck / car towing a trailer that has less than 4.5m from the towing (rear) axle to the trailer axle must be less than 15 tonne (total vehicle/trailer weight).
CS2 is defined as an axle spacing over 4.5 m. So if the spacing from the towing axle to the trailer axle is over 4.5m, the weight can be up to 25 tonne (total vehicle/axle weight).
CS3 is defined as a truck and a full trailer with 2 tandem axles, in the case where the inter-axle spacing between the tandem axle groups is 5.0 metres or more.
What does this mean for campers? You may be unable to bring your motorhome to SWCPP. Class A and Class B motorhomes fall under loading type CS1. Without water and sewage, a Class A motorhome can weigh up to 16 tonnes and a Class B motorhome can weigh up to 10 tonnes.
We are working with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to find solutions; however, upcoming reservations will need to be cancelled if your vehicle exceeds the identified weight limits. Please call 1-877-537-2757 or visit to www.Shop.AlbertaParks.ca to cancel or change your reservation. Alternate sites that can accommodate your vehicle and camping unit are available in the area.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. For more information about load ratings, visit http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype260/production/trans-restricted-bridge-list-for-provincial-highways.pdf.
The boardwalk portion of Kinglet Trail (part of the interior loop of the island trails) near the entrance of Big Island, is not passable. Please obey all signage for closed trail and use detour.
