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Highways 2A, 16, 43, 611 and 633 are among those affected
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July 19, 2022 • 1 day ago • 3 minutes read • 11 comments Pope Francis recites the Angelus at noon from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Sunday, July 3, 2022. Photo by Andrew Medicini/Associated pres
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Portions of several highways in the Edmonton area will be closed next week as part of a series of road closures during Pope Francis’ visit to the Edmonton area.
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The pope will be in the Edmonton area from Sunday morning to early Wednesday, including a trip south to Maskwacis and northwest to Lac Ste. Ann.
“Travelers should be aware of these temporary travel restrictions and plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays,” said Shane Schreiber, assistant deputy minister in the Alberta government, during a technical briefing with reporters last week.
Mobile prisons will be in place before and after the Pope’s motorcade passes through.
Drivers are asked to expect delays, plan alternate routes and check 511 for up-to-date closure information.
On Tuesday, the province released specific details about the closures, but noted that they are subject to change.
Sunday – July 24
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The Pope is due to arrive in Edmonton at 11:20 am. The northbound QEII between Edmonton International Airport and the City of Edmonton will be closed until the motorcade passes.
Monday – July 25
Pope Francis is due to depart early in the morning, arriving in Maskwacis at 10 a.m. The QEII will again be closed as the Pope travels to the site in the morning and returns to Edmonton in the early afternoon to visit Sacred Heart Church downtown.
The province says to expect “closures, significant delays and limited access” on Highway 2A, northbound and southbound, between Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis and Ponoka, as well as Highway 611 throughout the day.
Shuel-let-qua Q:olosoet (Cynthia Jim) sings behind care packages that were collected at the kihêw waciston Indigenous Center at MacEwan University, in Edmonton, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Care packages will be given to visitors by the local population on campus during the Pope’s visit. Photo by David Bloom/Postmedia
Tuesday – July 26
After an outdoor Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in the morning, the Pope will travel to Lac Ste. Ann late afternoon, causing the closure of portions of westbound Interstate 16, northbound Interstate 43 and westbound Interstate 633.
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Sections of the same freeways will be closed again in opposite directions later that evening.
The province notes that closures and limited access to Highways 16 and 633 can be expected on all rural and municipal roads west of Highway 43 and east of Highway 765, south of Lac Ste. Ann.
Interstate 633 between Interstates 757 and 43 will be closed except for buses and local traffic.
Wednesday – July 27
Pope Francis is scheduled to leave Edmonton for Quebec City at 9 a.m. The southbound lanes of the QEII between Edmonton and the airport will be closed.
The information will also be posted on electronic message boards on Alberta highways.
Pope Francis is expected to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in residential school systems during his Canadian trip, which begins in Edmonton and ends in Iqaluit, Nunavut on July 29.
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Those attending any of the public events in Alberta during the Pope’s visit are reminded that parking will be limited or unavailable at all locations and that park and ride or pre-registered bus are the best transportation options.
The contents of care packages that were collected at the kihêw waciston Indigenous Center at MacEwan University, in Edmonton, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Care packages will be given to Indigenous visitors to the campus during the Pope’s visit. The packs include a smear kit, local tea, a scarf which is used for active wrapping and an information card detailing how people can get in touch for counseling and mental health services they may need related to the visit. Photo by David Bloom/Postmedia
Meanwhile, preparations in Edmonton continue to ramp up.
MacEwan University is providing a place for the community to gather on July 25 and 26 with healing activities, refreshments and sharing circles.
On Tuesday, volunteers gathered to prepare care packages to welcome these visitors.
And the $441,000 renovation of the Dove of Peace monument for John Paul II’s 1984 papal visit appears nearly complete. The city said the money was outside of the $1 million in expenses it covered during the papal visit.
mblack@postmedia.com
twitter.com/bymatthewblack
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