After a year of waiting, the Tour of Alberta has finally reached the Peace region. The first stage kicks off today with racers hitting the streets of Grande Prairie at 6:15 for a Team Time Trial.
At the same time, a free festival is being held from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre. Local families can try out a pump track, check out the petting zoo and bouncy castles, and grab a snack from food trucks. They’ll also be treated to entertainment by Tasman Jude, the Bluebird Dancers, and Kristopher Davis.
The route will take racers along 68th Avenue, up Resources Road, then a loop around Muskoseepi Park and Grande Prairie Regional College, before returning to the Eastlink Centre.
There are several road closures throughout the day for the Tour of Alberta, so if you’re planning on heading to the festival, your best mode of transportation is by bus as the City is offering free public transit all day. The regular routes will be switching into a shuttle service that will pass by all major centres, schools and churches.
The following roads will be closed from 5:00 p.m. until approximately 8 p.m.:
- 68 Ave. from 106 St. to Resources Road
- Resources Road from 68 Ave. to 100 Ave.
- 99 Ave. from 102 St. to Resources Road
- 100 Ave. from 102 St. to 106 St.
- 102 St. from 102 Ave. to 108 Ave.
- 108 Ave. from 102 St. to HWY 43
Traffic on Highway 43 will be reduced to two lanes from 108 Street to 107 Avenue.
The following roads will be closed from noon until approximately 8 p.m.:
- 100 Ave. from Resources Road to 102 St.
Residents in College Park and Avondale will be the most affected by road closures. In the short intervals between teams, local traffic will be able to cross the race course at 105 Street and 100 Avenue, as well as 106 Avenue and 102 Street.
Street parking will not be available on 99 Avenue and 100 Avenue from noon to 8 p.m. All other street parking along the route will not be available along the route from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
