Banff promised $39M more for roads, campgrounds, infrastructure

The federal government plans to spend an additional $39 million on infrastructure in Banff National Park,Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced Thursday.

"This is additional money," McKenna said,noting the commitment isover and above the funding promises for Parks Canadathe Liberals made during last fall's election campaign.

"In terms of the money that was announced before, we are still proceeding," she added.

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McKenna said the funding will include:

• $14 millionto "improve visitor experience," including upgrades to the Lake Louise campground as well asPeytoLake and Bow Summit day-use areas.
• $6 millionfor upgrades to animal underpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway
• $1 millionto "improve the natural processes" in the mountain parks through prescribed burns

The funding also includes $14.5 million to rehabilitate47 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway on the east end of the park, including repaving some sections.

Dave McDonough, the superintendent ofBanff National Park, called the funding "a great shot in the arm" and said the upgrades toanimal underpasses, in particular, will protect the area's ecological integrity.

"The improvements to the wildlife corridors are critical,"he said. "As you know, they've been extremely effective over the years, and this is a great opportunity to continue to improve them and ensure that they're effective going forward."

Focus on Mtis heritage

Renovations to visitor centres will focus on "promoting the culture of indigenous people," McKenna said, particularly when it comes to educational components on the traditional trades ofMtispeople in the area.

McKennamade the announcement at theCave and Basin National Historic Site, the sulphurous hot springs used for ceremonial purposesby indigenous peoplefor centuries before becoming a major draw for tourists in the late 1800s.

The site is also credited as the birthplace of Parks Canada, asPrime Minister John A. Macdonald created the Banff Hot Springs Reserve in 1885, marking the beginning of the country's national parks system.

The government provided the following,full list of projects that will be included as part of the $39 million: