Whoop-Up Drive at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Image Credit: City of Lethbridge traffic camera)

By David Opinko

‘Several months’ of Whoop-Up Drive maintenance set for 2026

Jan 28, 2026 | 2:40 PM

Drivers can once again expect some delays later this year as they cross the coulees.

The City of Lethbridge has announced that it will commence with an “important” maintenance project on Whoop-Up Drive this year.

“The bridge coating project is needed to protect the lifespan of the bridge, a critical part of the City’s transportation infrastructure. This work has been planned since 2019, when the eastbound Whoop-Up Drive Bridge recoating was completed,” reads a news release from the City of Lethbridge.

Work is expected to start in May and take several months to complete.

A minimum of two westbound lanes of traffic will be maintained during construction, and eastbound travel should not be impacted.

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The project will also include reallocating the north girder of the eastbound structure, following the damage that it incurred during a collision last summer. This work will take place under the bridge and will not impact traffic.

READ MORE: Four of six girders on Whoop-Up Drive damaged, assessments continue

“Containment of the area is required as per Alberta Environment and Parks regulations. Access and containment for the coating work will require scaffolding be secured to the underside of the bridge structure. Botteril Bottom Road under the bridge will be down to one lane, with alternating access. If scaffolding is required on top of the deck, the two-lane configurations will be shifted towards the centre of the bridge to allow for wider shoulders to accommodate the scaffolding placement.”

Given the importance of this project, the City says it wanted to give residents ample notice.

The construction tender is out now, and more specific timelines and impacts will be confirmed once a contractor is selected.

@lethbridgenewsnow “Several months” of bridge work on Whoop-Up Drive in Lethbridge. Learn more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com #YQL #LNN #Lethbridge #Alberta #WhoopUpDrive #News ♬ original sound – Lethbridge News Now