Papal visit will cause significant delays on area highways

The Pope's visit will require travellers to make alternate travel arrangements on area highways.

Rolling road closures are scheduled for sections of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway and Highways 2A, 16, 43, 611 and 633 from July 24 to 27 to accommodate the papal motorcade.

With the rolling closures, the highway will be closed both before and after the motorcade passes. Motorists can expect significant delays and should plan ahead and consider alternate routes where possible. 

Here is what travellers can expect to see during the four-day visit.

July 24 

• From the Edmonton International Airport to the City of Edmonton, the QEII Highway northbound will be closed until the Pope's motorcade passes.

July 25 

• The QEII Highway southbound and Highway 611 west of Highway 2A will be closed between Edmonton and Maskwacis when the Pope travels from Edmonton to Maskwacis on the morning of July 25. 
• The QEII Highway and Highway 611 west of Highway 2A will be closed between Maskwacis and Edmonton when the Pope returns to Edmonton later in the afternoon. 
• Travellers can also expect closures, significant delays and limited access along portions of Highway 2A, northbound and southbound, between Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis and Ponoka all day on July 25. 
• Additionally, travellers can expect closures, significant delays and limited access along portions of Highway 611, eastbound and westbound, all day on July 25. 

July 26 

• Highway 16 westbound, Highway 43 northbound, and Highway 633 westbound will be closed when the Pope travels to Lac Ste. Anne late in the afternoon on July 26. 
• Highway 633 eastbound to Highway 43 southbound and Highway 16 eastbound to Edmonton will be closed when the Pope returns to Edmonton. 
• Closures and restricted access to Highways 16 and 633 can be expected on all range roads and township roads west of Highway 43 and east of Highway 765, south of Lac Ste. Anne. 
• Highway 633 between Highways 757 and 43 will be closed except for buses and local traffic. 

July 27 

• There will be a closure of the QEII Highway southbound between Edmonton and the Edmonton International Airport on the morning of July 27 as the Pope departs Edmonton.

Highway closure information will also be posted on electronic message boards along the QEII Highway and Highways 2A, 16, 43, 611 and 633. 

After departing, the pope will spend two days in Quebec City before leaving on July 29 to meet with former residential school students in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Information on the papal travel schedule will be posted on 511.