The winter roads connecting Fort Smith to Fort Chipewyan and then on from Fort Chip to Fort McMurray are now open for the 2024-25 season.
Wood Buffalo National Park said this week the stretch of winter road from Moose Island, outside Fort Smith, to Fort Chipewyan is open.
The road provides a connection through the national park that doesn’t otherwise exist for the rest of the year, when Fort Smith residents trying to reach Alberta must do so via Hay River and High Level.
On Monday, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo said the separate winter road that connects Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray in the south would be open to light traffic from Tuesday onward.
“Drivers should watch for equipment and crews on the road and expect rough spots. High clearance 4×4 vehicles are highly recommended – remember to drive to conditions and follow all posted signage,” the municipality stated.
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The opening of that road means it’s now possible to drive from Fort Smith to Fort McMurray and beyond.
The Fort Chip-Fort McMurray road generally remains open until the end of March. The road north to Fort Smith closed in early April this past season.
