Where the Trans-Canada Highway and the CPR railway cross the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, they are funneled between the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park to the south, and the Sand Dunes to the north on the Saskatewan side and the Grand Canyon-like eroded cliffs that channel the South Saskatchewan River east of Medicine Hat.
Medicine Hat Bypass
Within the City of Medicine Hat, Highway 1 is named Trans-Canada Highway and maintained by Alberta Transportation.[6] Stretches of the highway function as a freeway, while stretches between the South Saskatchewan River and Seven Persons Creek function as an urban arterial road. One at-grade intersection exists beyond 13 Avenue SE at Dunmore Road/South Boundary Road before exiting the city.
The length of Highway 1 within Medicine Hat is 13 km (8.1 mi). East of Medicine Hat, Highway 1 continues for 48 km (30 mi) until it enters the Province of Saskatchewan, where it continues as Saskatchewan Highway 1. This segment of the highway generally travels in an east direction through Cypress County.
There are a number of accommodation options at the eastern end of the city, and both accommodation and recreation (including a waterslide) at the western end of Medicine Hat.
Swift Current
This town is located on Riviere Au Courant, which translates in to English as Swift Current, and the town is called “Speedy Creek” by area residents. The original route of the Trans-Canada highway was via Chaplin Street through Swift Current.
When the Trans-Canada became a four lane expressway in 1968, the new route by-passed Swift Current to the north. Motels, shopping malls and fast food enterprises re-located along the highway route. Since then, new subdivisions and neighbourhoods now extend past the highway, so again Highway 1 bisects Swift Current.
More Trans-Canada Highway History
Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map
Trans-Canada Highway Itinerary Map
Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on “+” or “–” to zoom in or out. “Satellite” combines map & photo.
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