Drivers who use Highway 41 north of Elk Point are facing a significant detour as the province moves ahead with an emergency temporary route around the section of highway damaged by a landslide.

A temporary two-lane detour is planned along the east side of the existing Highway 41 right-of-way, approximately 500 metres north of the Highway 41 and Highway 29 intersection in the County of St. Paul.

The temporary roadway is intended to restore two-way traffic around the damaged section while engineers continue working on a permanent solution to the slope failure.

According to a provincial construction notice shared by Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr, work on the temporary route was tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 31.

Highway 41 is expected to close at the slide location for approximately 30 days while that work is completed. The notice identified Sept. 1 as the anticipated start of the closure, although Cyr cautioned the dates were tentative and motorists should follow current signage and traffic information.

Highway 29, 881 and 28 form detour route

During the closure, Highway 41 traffic will be rerouted using Highway 29, Highway 881 and Highway 28.

The detour will mean additional travel time for residents as well as agricultural, commercial and industry traffic that regularly uses the north-south corridor.

Elk Point RCMP and St. Paul Traffic Services have also advised that additional patrols will be conducted during the closure to ensure industry traffic is properly authorized to use routes through the County of St. Paul.

Drivers are being asked to follow posted restrictions and detour signage.

“I recognize that a closure of this length and the resulting detour will create challenges for residents, farmers, businesses, industry and commercial traffic that depend on this corridor,” Cyr said.

Temporary road a step toward restoring two-way traffic

The affected section of Highway 41 has been operating with one-lane alternating traffic following the landslide.

Cyr said construction of the temporary two-lane route represents progress toward restoring more reliable travel through the area, but it will not resolve the underlying problem with the highway.

“There is still significant work ahead to address the underlying slope failure permanently,” he said.

No timeline for a permanent repair was included in the update.

Cyr thanked Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen and ministry staff for advancing the temporary solution and asked motorists to give crews room to work safely.

For now, anyone travelling Highway 41 north of Elk Point should plan for a longer trip and watch for changing traffic conditions as construction proceeds.