Service standards: Large vehicles on the Icefields Parkway (93N) and H.J. Moberly Bridge on Maligne Lake Road

Overweight vehicle restriction

• The Icefields Parkway (93 North) connecting Jasper and Banff national parks is a special use corridor. It is maintained and promoted as a scenic heritage drive and offers travellers some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery in the world. As such, it is not built nor does the use accommodate commercial throughway trucking.
• Vehicles exceeding 4550 kg gross vehicle weight are not permitted to travel on the Icefields Parkway (93 North) between Jasper and Lake Louise. Buses and recreational vehicles are permitted regardless of weight.
• Operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum gross vehicle weight is an offense under the National Parks Highway Traffic Regulations of the Canada National Parks Act and results in an automatic court appearance. Fines are levied through the court process.
• For business operators conducting business or servicing businesses along the Icefields Parkway with a vehicle exceeding the gross vehicle weight maximum, you may be eligible for an Overweight Vehicle Permit. Carriers doing multiple trips may request a permit valid until March 31 each year.
• Access to the Icefields Parkway (93 North) between Jasper and Lake Louise will be from the entry point closest to the final destination (i.e., if the load is going to Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park, the truck must enter from the Jasper end of the Icefields Parkway).

Applying for an overweight vehicle permit for the Icefields Parkway (93 North)

Step 1 - Apply for a business license

• If you are a business operator conducting work or servicing businesses along the Icefields Parkway in Banff or Jasper national parks, you require a national parks business licence.
• To obtain a business licence in Banff, contact llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca or call 403-522-1186
• To obtain a business licence in Jasper contact jasperbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca or call 780-883-0526.

Step 2 – Apply for an overweight vehicle permit for the Icefields Parkway (93 North)

• Once you have acquired a business licence you can then proceed to apply for an Overweight Vehicle Permit.
  There is currently no fee for the overweight permits.
• To obtain an overweight vehicle permit for the Icefields Parkway in Banff, contact llykbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca or call 403-522-1186.
• To obtain an overweight vehicle permit for the Icefields Parkway in Jasper, complete the application form for a restricted activity permit (PDF, 123 KB) and email it to jasperbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca.
• The application form must be submitted to Parks Canada at least 3 business days before travelling.
• Parks Canada will respond with either an approved permit or rational for denial within 3 business days of receiving the application.

Note for previous permit holders: if your company has had previous permit applications, please advise at the time of application as it will save time to process and provide you with a faster response.

When travelling on the Icefields Parkway (93 North)

• An overweight vehicle permit must be carried in the vehicle and produced to a Parks Canada staff member upon request.
• Overweight vehicle permits are not valid for through travel on the Icefields Parkway (93 North).
• The Icefields Parkway (93 North) is a scenic parkway – special care and attention is required when passing wildlife and park visitors.
• Respect posted speed limits – note that posted speed limits are designed for ideal road conditions; slow down when driving on snow, ice, slush or rain. Note that each spring and summer, the posted speed limit is reduced to 70 km/h on a section of the Icefields Parkway travelling through caribou habitat. This protects caribou that may be near the roadway and is strictly enforced.
• When planning a trip (winter or summer) drivers should plan their route using websites that show current road conditions or phone the road authority on their route to find out road conditions and any excepted delays. Province of Alberta, including Highway 16 and 93: 511.alberta.ca. Province of British Columbia: drivebc.ca.

Special considerations

• There is limited road maintenance in winter and potential for avalanche closures.
• Cell service is not available on the Icefields Parkway (93 North).

The H.J. Moberly Bridge on Maligne Lake Road is the sole public access point for reaching any destinations along or beyond Maligne Lake Road.

Overweight vehicle restrictions on H.J. Moberly Bridge

• Vehicle weight limit for one truck or bus on bridge at a time:
  
  • Single unit vehicle: maximum 17,000 kg
  • Tractor trailer: maximum 22,000 kg
  • Vehicle train: maximum 43,000 kg
• Loads exceeding the maximum limits specified above or otherwise classified as oversize or overweight under the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation (AR 315/2002) of Alberta, require a Restricted Activity Permit (RAP) to cross H.J. Moberly Bridge.
• Oversize vehicles applying for a permit should be no larger than the following limits of the bridge:
  
  • Height limit of 4.80 m
  • Width limit of 5.80 m
• Special load configurations or crossing procedures may be considered. Applicants are encouraged to include any supporting information with their submission for review.
• To reduce public impact, applicants may be obligated to travel during off-peak or nighttime hours.
• All hauling and traffic control companies involved in crossing Moberly Bridge, require a valid Parks Canada business license.
• A temporary closure of the bridge, managed by qualified traffic control personnel, is required, and is the permit holder’s responsibility.

Applying for an overweight vehicle permit for H.J. Moberly Bridge on Maligne Lake Road

Step 1 - Apply for a business license

• If you are a business operator conducting work or servicing businesses along Maligne Lake Road in Jasper national parks, you require a national parks Business Licence.
• To obtain a business licence in Jasper contact jasperbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca or call 780-883-0526.

Step 2 - Apply for an overweight vehicle permit for H.J. Moberly Bridge on Maligne Lake Road

To obtain an annual permit for H.J. Moberly Bridge in Jasper, complete the application form (PDF, 316 KB) and email it to jasperbusinesslicence@pc.gc.ca.

Permits can be issued on an annual basis. All annual permits expire on March 31.

Complete applications will be reviewed, and a response provided within 5 business days.

General conditions

1. The National Parks Act and Regulations apply. Failure to follow conditions of permit may result in prosecution.
2. The permit must be carried by the permit holder and shown to a Park Warden, Park Staff or Peace Officer on demand.
3. This permit may be cancelled at any time by written or verbal notice.
4. This permit is valid only for the vehicle, company, dates and locations shown.
5. This permit is not transferrable.
6. Not withstanding any other provisions of this permit, the permittee shall indemnify Parks Canada from any and all liabilities, costs, damages, claims, suits or actions arising from:
   
   1. any damage to property; or
   2. any injury to a person or persons including death occasioned by the permittee in his/her use, occupation or by his/her activities resulting from this permit.

When travelling on H.J. Moberly Bridge on Maligne Lake Road

• This permit authorizes crossing of H.J. Moberly Bridge only. It does not allow travel elsewhere within Jasper National Park, including on Highway 93 or over any other bridge with posted load restrictions.
• Vehicles that are oversize or overweight under Alberta law, as defined in the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation (AR 315/2002) under the Traffic Safety Act, must obtain approval through the TRAVIS Permit System in addition to this Restricted Activity Permit, before any vehicle may cross the bridge.
• All companies operating within Jasper National Park must hold a valid Parks Canada business licence, including both the hauling company and any traffic control service providers.
• Permitted vehicles must cross the bridge in a single-lane configuration; no other vehicles may be on the bridge at the same time. A temporary closure of the bridge, managed by qualified flagging personnel, is required.
• The maximum permitted speed when crossing the bridge is 10 km/h.