Travel Advisory issued during Fort McMurray re-entry

Tens of thousands of vehicles are expected to travel to Fort McMurray over a five-day period

The re-entry to Fort McMurray for residents evacuated during the wildfire emergency is underway and Alberta Transportation is making people who live in communities enroute to Fort McMurray aware of changes in traffic volumes.

Alberta Transportation anticipates increased traffic congestion on Highway 63 and Highway 881 and several provincial highways connecting to them over the next five days. The increase in highway traffic may be noticeable in your community and may increase demand for local goods and services such as fuel, groceries, etc.

The Government of Alberta is reminding all drivers to travel safe. Increased traffic congestion means possibilities of delays and we are reminding drivers to be patient, to obey the rules of the road and to follow the speed limit. Alberta Transportation, Alberta Peace Officers and Sheriffs and the RCMP are increasing their presence on highways and monitoring traffic closely to facilitate optimal traffic flow and promote safe travel for all roadway users during the re-entry to Fort McMurray. Alberta Health Services has increased the availability of ambulances.

A Travel Advisory was issued May 31 to increase public awareness about increased highway traffic. The Provincial Operations Centre in Edmonton and the Regional Emergency Operations Centre in Fort McMurray are in close contact and sharing traffic flow information regularly with each other and with the public.

Please visit www.alberta.ca/emergency.cfm for re-entry information. Follow 511 Alberta for updated road condition information. Contact 310-4455 with any questions.