Access to an island in a popular Alberta park will soon be cut off
Access to an island in a popular Alberta park will be cut off over the coming months due to construction on a causeway bridge.
In a notice on the Alberta Parks website, construction activities will be occurring on the causeway bridge at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, on the shore of Lac La Biche, between November 2025 and 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,” Alberta Parks stated.
In June 2023, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors notified Alberta Forestry and Parks that the causeway bridge did not meet inspection standards, and a load capacity limitation was put in place to limit the stress on the structure.
The existing infrastructure cannot safely support modern traffic needs, including maximum weight limits, and its deteriorating condition increases maintenance demands and safety risks.
Conservation Officers can enforce area closures under the Provincial Parks Act. Please do not cross construction barriers and follow all signage.
Alberta Parks
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; however, dates are subject to change.
Access to Long Island, which offers year-round comfort camping, a community facility, and a boat launch, will remain available throughout the construction period. Access to these facilities and amenities, as well as 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.
There will be no emergency support or maintenance occurring on Big Island of Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park. If users access Big Island of Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park from the lake, they do so at their own risk.