The 46th annual Melissa’s Road Race will bring major road closures and traffic interruptions across Banff on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The race itself runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but residents should expect closures starting as early as 7:30 a.m.
Sundance Road will be fully closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Skate Park, Pump Track, and Dog Park will remain open, but the Sundance parking lot will be closed until 2 p.m., with limited parking available after that time.
The Banff Avenue vehicle bridge will be fully closed from 10:35 to 11:00 a.m., along with northbound lanes from Cave Avenue to Wolf Street. Rolling reopenings will follow. Tunnel Mountain Drive will be fully closed from 7 a.m. to noon, with park gates locked overnight from 9 p.m. on September 25.
Road closures could be extended by up to 60 minutes in the event of a wildlife delay. The race uses a Wildlife Response Flagging System at aid stations, with green, yellow, and red flags to manage participant safety if animals are encountered along the route.
Roam Transit bus routes will see delays and cancellations, especially Route 1 and Route 2 between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. during the bridge closure. Residents and visitors should plan alternate routes and expect significant delays, particularly when travelling to or from the south side of Banff. For more details, visit the Town of Banff’s road closure notice.
