Crowsnest Highway

 

Crowsnest Highway
Highway 3
Route information
Length: 1,161 km (721 mi)
Existed: 1932 – present
Major junctions
West end: BC 1 near Hope, BC
East end: Hwy 1 (TCH) / Hwy 41A in Medicine Hat, AB
Location
Municipalities: Hope, Sparwood
Specialized
and rural
municipalities:
Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek No. 9 M.D., Willow Creek No. 26 M.D., Lethbridge County, Taber M.D., Forty Mile No. 8 County, Cypress County
Major cities: Greenwood, Grand Forks, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Fernie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat
Towns: Princeton, Osoyoos, Creston, Fort Macleod, Coalhurst, Coaldale, Taber, Bow Island
Villages: Keremeos, Midway, Salmo, Cowley, Barnwell
Highway system

Provincial highways in Alberta

BC 2BCBC 3A
Hwy 2AABHwy 3A

The Crowsnest Highway, also known as the Interprovincial or, in British Columbia, the Southern Trans-Provincial, is an east-west highway, 1,161 km (721 mi) in length, through the southern parts of British Columbia and Alberta, providing the shortest highway connection between British Columbia's Lower Mainland and southeast Alberta. It is designated a core route in Canada's National Highway System,[1] and is designated as Highway 3 for its entire length.

The highway, which is mostly two lanes, was officially designated in 1932, mainly following a mid-19th century gold rush trail originally traced out by an engineer named Edgar Dewdney. It takes its name from the Crowsnest Pass, the location at which the highway crosses the Continental Divide between British Columbia and Alberta.

In British Columbia, the first segment of the highway between the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5A is locally known as the Hope-Princeton Highway. In Alberta, the highway forms concurrencies with both the Red Coat Trail and the CANAMEX Corridor from Highway 2 west of Fort Macleod to Highway 4 at the eastern limits of Lethbridge.

Route description

The peak of Allison Pass.

British Columbia

The Crowsnest Highway's total length in British Columbia is 837 km (520 mi),[2] and its total length within Alberta is 324 km (201 mi).[3] The Crowsnest Highway's western terminus is at Hope, where it branches off from Highway 1. The highway goes east for 7 km (4.3 mi) to its junction with Highway 5, then through Allison Pass and Manning Provincial Park for 127 km (79 mi) towards the Town of Princeton. There are several significant ascents in this stretch between Hope and Princeton. The first is the steep climb to the Hope Slide, followed later by the remainder of the climb up to Allison Pass at an elevation of 1,342m (4,473 ft). After the summit of Allison Pass, where the Crowsnest crosses from the Fraser Valley Regional District into the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, the road descends for 40 km (25 mi) before beginning another long climb up Sunday Summit (1,284m, 4,280 ft). Soon after Sunday Summit is the descent into Princeton, where Highway 5A begins.

Through the Similkameen Valley westwards into the mountains

After Princeton, the Crowsnest goes southeast for 67 km (42 mi), through Hedley, to the Village of Keremeos, where a junction with a length of highway designated as 3A is located, leading towards Penticton and Highway 97. Another 46 km (29 mi) southeast, and the Crowsnest reaches the Town of Osoyoos and a junction with Highway 97. The highway then proceeds to hug the Canada-U.S. border east through a stretch of switchbacks known as Anarchist Mountain, which is also the name of the upland rural community beyond the summit. A few kilometres east of Anarchist Mountain, the Crowsnest enters the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.

52 km (32 mi) east of Osoyoos, the Crowsnest reaches its junction with Highway 33 at Rock Creek, then the highway heads east for 70 km (43 mi) to its junction with Highway 41 at a location called Carson, just west of Grand Forks. Another 26 km (16 mi) east, passing through Grand Forks en route, the Crowsnest meets Highway 395 at the southern end of Christina Lake.

Further east from Christina Lake, the Crowsnest travels for 47 km (29 mi) through Bonanza Pass to its junction with Highway 3B at Nancy Greene Lake, which is the cutoff to the ski town of Rossland, shortly thereafter crossing into the Regional District of Central Kootenay. It is another 26 km (16 mi) east from Nancy Greene Lake to the junction with Highway 22 at Castlegar, and another 2 km (1.2 mi) east to a junction with another stretch of Highway designated as 3A, also within Castlegar. Leaving Castlegar, the Crowsnest reaches its eastern junction with Highway 3B 26 km (16 mi) east. Highway 6 converges with the Crowsnest at Salmo, 11 km (6.8 mi) east of the 3B junction, and the two highways proceed south for 14 km (8.7 mi) to the Burnt Flat Junction, where Highway 6 diverges south.

East of Burnt Flat, the Crowsnest heads through the Kootenay Pass on a stretch known as the Kootenay Skyway, or Salmo-Creston Skyway. 67 km (42 mi) east of Burnt Flat, the Crowsnest reaches the Town of Creston, just past junctions with Highway 21 and Highway 3A. 40 km (25 mi) later, south of Yahk, Highway 95 merges onto the Crowsnest. The two highways share a common alignment for 72 km (45 mi) northeast along the Moyie River, crossing into the Regional District of East Kootenay along the way, to a junction with Highway 95A at Cranbrook. Another 6 km (3.7 mi) east, Highway 95 diverges north from the Crowsnest and Highway 93 merges onto the Crowsnest from the north. Highway 93 and the Crowsnest share a common alignment for the next 53 km (33 mi) southeast to Elko, where Highway 93 diverges south. 31 km (19 mi) north of Elko, the Crowsnest reaches Fernie, then it goes north another 30 km (19 mi) to its junction with Highway 43 at Sparwood, and another 19 km (12 mi) east, the highway reaches the boundary with Alberta at Crowsnest Pass.

Alberta

The Alberta portion of the Crowsnest Highway is designated Alberta Provincial Highway No. 3.[4] Once into Alberta, the Crowsnest Highway goes east 16 km (9.9 mi) to the Bighorn Highway at Coleman, then 26 km (16 mi) east to its junction with Highway 22, another 20 km (12 mi) to its junction with Highway 6, then another 44 km (27 mi) to its junction with Highway 2 north, then proceeding 5 km (3.1 mi) east into the Town of Fort Macleod and the Crowsnest's junction with Highway 2 south. After Fort Macleod, the Crowsnest goes 27 km (17 mi) east, crossing the Oldman River, to Highway 3A southeast of Monarch, which feeds Highway 23.

The highway reaches the first access (Westview Drive W) to the City of Lethbridge 13 km (8.1 mi) later. At this point, the Crowsnest's only freeway segment begins. 2 km (1.2 mi) later, Highway 25 (University Drive W) branches to the north before crossing the Oldman River for the second time. The freeway segment ends at Mayor Magrath Drive, which branches as Highway 5 to the south. The highway intersects Highway 4 at the eastern limits of Lethbridge.

45 km (28 mi) east of Lethbridge, the Crowsnest reaches the Town of Taber. Within Taber, Highway 36 runs concurrently with the highway for 3 km (1.9 mi). Upon dropping the concurrency, the Crowsnest ends 113 km (70 mi) later at the Trans-Canada Highway in the City of Medicine Hat.

Major intersections

British Columbia

The following is a list of exits along the expressway and freeway portions of British Columbia Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway).

Hope to Princeton

Regional districtLocationkmmiDestinationsNotes
Fraser ValleyHope BC 1 north, Water AvenueEastbound only
3 AvenueWestbound only
Old Hope- Princeton Way
Fraser Valley Electoral Area B BC 5 Coquihalla Highway, Highway 3, Crowsnest Highway
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Castlegar

Regional districtLocationkmmiDestinationsNotes
KootenaysCastlegar BC 22 south (Columbia Ave.) Rossland, Trail
20th St., 6th Ave. to BC 22Westbound only
BC 3A east Castlegar Airport, Nelson
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Cranbrook

Regional districtLocationkmmiDestinationsNotes
East KootenayCranbrookBegin expressway at 22nd Street north
23rd Street NAt-grade intersection
30th Street NAt-grade intersection
BC 95A north Cranbrook Airport, Kimberley
BC 95 / BC 93 north Fort Steele, Invermere, Radium Hot SpringsBegin multiplex with Highway 93
Expressway ends
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Alberta

The following is a list of major intersections along Alberta Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) from west to east.[3][5]

Rural/specialized municipalityLocationkm[2]miDestinationsNotes
Continues as BC 3 west - Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook
Municipality of
Crowsnest Pass
 00Alberta - British Columbia border
Crowsnest Pass (el. 1,358 m, 4,455 ft)
Coleman1610 Hwy 40 north (Forestry Trunk Road)
Blairmore181120 Avenue east
211320 Avenue west
Frank2415153 StreetPasses Frank Slide
Bellevue26169 Avenue / 213 StreetAccess to Hillcrest
 3019East Hillcrest DriveAccess to Hillcrest
M. D. of Pincher Creek No. 9Burmis3522 Hwy 507 south Beaver Mines
 4025 Hwy 3A east
 4226 Hwy 22 north Longview, Black Diamond, Turner Valley
Lundbreck4427Breckenridge Avenue
 4830 Hwy 3A west
Cowley5232 Hwy 510 north
Pincher Station6239 Hwy 6 south Pincher Creek, Waterton Lakes National Park
3rd Avenue
 6540 Hwy 785
Piikani I.R. 147Brocket7748 Hwy 786 south
M. D. of Willow Creek No. 26 10465 Hwy 810 south Glenwood
Divided highway begins
Fort Macleod10666 Hwy 2 north (Exit 89) Claresholm, Calgary Hwy 2 concurrency begins
Red Coat Trail concurrency begins
CANAMEX Corridor concurrency begins
10968 Hwy 811 north (6 Avenue)
11169 Hwy 2 south Cardston, CarwayHwy 2 concurrency ends
 13282 Hwy 3A east Monarch
To Hwy 23 north Vulcan
Eastbound access to Hwy 23.
↑ / ↓13483Crosses Oldman River
Lethbridge County 13886 Hwy 3A west Monarch
Hwy 23 north Vulcan
Partial interchange
Westbound exit, eastbound entrance
 14288Future Hwy 3X east[3]Future Lethbridge and Coaldale bypass.[6]
Kipp14691Urban Approach Road 205 north
Hwy 509 south Stand Off
Coalhurst1489251 AvenueCoalhurst access road
Freeway begins
City of Lethbridge15194Westside Drive W (Unsigned Hwy 3A)Partial interchange
Eastbound exit, westbound entrance.
153.195.1 Hwy 25 north Picture Butte
University Drive W south
Interchange
155.096.3Bridge Drive W (Former Hwy 3A)Interchange
155.496.6Crosses Oldman River
155.696.7Access road to Oldman River valley
156.197.05 Avenue N (To Scenic Drive)Eastbound exit, westbound entrance
156.397.11 Avenue S – City Centre
To Hwy 4 / Hwy 5
Eastbound exit only
156.897.4Scenic DriveWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
157.798.0Stafford Drive
158.598.513 StreetWestbound exit only
159.298.919 Street (To 3 Avenue S)Eastbound exit/entrance
159.499.0Mayor Magrath Drive
Hwy 5 south Magrath, Cardston
Access to Lethbridge Airport
Freeway ends
161.4100.31 Avenue S
To Hwy 4 south / Hwy 512 east
Eastbound exit only
161.8100.543 Street
Hwy 4 south Milk River, Coutts, Great Falls
Hwy 843 north
Red Coat Trail concurrency ends
CANAMEX Corridor concurrency ends
Lethbridge County 168104Future Hwy 4X[3]Future Lethbridge bypass.[6]
Coaldale173107 Hwy 845 (20 Street) Lomond, Raymond
 184114 Hwy 512 south
Future Hwy 3X west[3]
Future Lethbridge and Coaldale bypass.[6]
M. D. of Taber 198123 Hwy 3A east Barnwell
Barnwell200124Heritage Road
 202126 Hwy 3A west Barnwell
Taber207129 Hwy 855 north (Park Road)
208129 Hwy 36 south Warner Hwy 36 concurrency begins.
210130 Hwy 36 north (64 Street) Vauxhall, BrooksHwy 36 concurrency ends.
Divided highway ends
Grassy Lake242150 Hwy 877 south Skiff
County of Forty Mile No. 8Burdett254158Main StreetPasses through Burdett
 260162 Hwy 879 Foremost
Bow Island266165Centre StreetPasses through Bow Island
 285177 Hwy 885 south Etzikom
Cypress CountySeven Persons301187 Hwy 887 Orion
 312194Future Hwy 1X[3]Future Medicine Hat bypass.[7]
City of Medicine Hat321199 Hwy 523 east (Holsom Road SW)
322200 Viscount Avenue SWPasses Medicine Hat Airport
323201 Hwy 1 (TCH) Brooks, Calgary, Swift Current, Regina
Hwy 41A east – City Centre
Hwy 3 ends.
Continues as Hwy 41A east (Gershaw Drive SW)
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. "National Highway System". Transport Canada. 2009-12-13. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  2. 1 2 "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Provincial Highways 1 - 216 Progress Chart" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. March 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  4. Provincial Highways Designation Order, Alberta Transportation, p. 2
  5. Alberta Official Road Map (Map) (2010 ed.). Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. § N-5, N–6, N-7, N–8.
  6. 1 2 3 Stantec (February 2006). "Highways 3 & 4 - Lethbridge and Area NHS & NSTC: Functional Planning Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  7. Stantec (2008). "Highway 1 & 3 Functional Planning Study" (PDF). Alberta Transportation. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, April 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.