E-Bulletin

March 15/2024

Stopping and Parking Restrictions for Commercial Truck Drivers in Glacier National Park

In early November, Parks Canada proposed stopping and parking restrictions in the Rogers Pass summit area of Glacier National Park, BC due to safety concerns.

Thank you for providing your input. Based on feedback received, changes were made to the proposed measures to better address concerns from both the commercial trucking industry and Parks Canada.

KEY CHANGES TO NOTE

• Short 30-minute or less stops will be allowed in the Rogers Pass summit area but longer stops to sleep and overnight parking are prohibited.
• The Sir Donald and East Glacier rest areas may be used, if needed, for longer stops but space is limited.

It is understood that commercial vehicles may need to stop unexpectedly, whether to rest or for an emergency. The goal is to ensure that drivers know where they can stop safely and what to do if they must stop in an avalanche area. Safe parking areas are limited.

WHAT COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW

Parks Canada is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 43 km of the Trans-Canada Highway through Glacier National Park. Maintaining the safety and reliability of this national transportation corridor for commercial vehicles and the travelling public is a top priority. For safety reasons, stopping restrictions are in effect in the Rogers Pass summit area of Glacier National Park. Due to avalanche hazards, there are very few safe stopping and parking areas in Glacier National Park in winter and space is limited. As a commercial truck driver, you must understand these restrictions and plan legally required rest breaks before or after you travel through Rogers Pass.

Commercial transport trucks are limited to 30-minute stops in the Rogers Pass summit area of Glacier National Park. Longer stops and overnight parking are prohibited as the area needs to be kept clear for traffic holding in the event of road closures and for snow removal operations at night.

IF STOPPING AT THE ROGERS PASS WASHROOM BUILDING

Please park on the highway side of the parking area. Do not park directly in front of the building. Please slow down when entering the parking area and watch for pedestrians. Except for stops of less than 30 minutes at the Rogers Pass washroom building and for chain removal on designated areas of the highway shoulder at the summit, or in an emergency, commercial transport trucks are not permitted to stop in Rogers Pass between Sir Donald rest area (7.8 km west) and Beaver Valley chain-up area (11 km east). Most sections of the highway through the Rogers Pass summit area are already no stopping zones due to avalanche hazard.

RECOMMENDED SAFE STOPPING AREAS IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK (LIMITED SPACE)

• Eastbound: Sir Donald rest area (7.8 km west of Rogers Pass)
• Westbound: East Glacier rest area (17.3 km east of Rogers Pass)

OTHER SAFETY REMINDERS

Parking on the highway shoulder throughout the park is both dangerous and illegal. If you need to stop for an emergency, be aware of avalanche no stopping areas. Move to a safe area if you can or stay in your vehicle and call for assistance. Commercial trailer drops are prohibited throughout Glacier National Park.

Parking is prohibited in the avalanche control pull-outs along the highway corridor. These are plowed pull-outs with no-parking signs and large circles in the ground. (Gun rings are used to anchor the Howitzers during avalanche control operations).

NRC Gully Trailhead Parking (across from the Rogers Pass Summit Day Use Area), often used by eastbound trucks, is a restricted parking area due to avalanche control operations. The parking area opens and closes depending on avalanche control and permits are required.