Lake Louise Alberta - Work is now well underway on CP Rail's double tracking project between Lake Louise and Stephen, B.C.

The project involves construction of 5.5 miles of new westbound main line track and relocation of the wye and storage tracks from Lake Louise to Eldon.

When completed in 1980, the $13.9 million project will conclude the first phase of a program to increase main line capacity by reducing grades and by double tracking at key locations between Calgary and Vancouver.

Included with Lake Louise in the first phase of the main line improvement program are two projects scheduled for 1979 completion in British Columbia, 4.5 miles near Revelstoke and 11 miles near Salmon Arm. Total value of all three projects is over $40 million.

A second phase would include a 19 mile construction project in the Beaver River Valley where technical studies are continuing on a possible eight-mile tunnel.

The contract for clearing and grading of the main line right-of-way between Lake Louise and Stephen, and for the new wye and storage tracks at Eldon, 10 miles east of Lake Louise, was awarded to Loram International Ltd. of Calgary.

Loram crews began at Eldon in mid-October, and work was completed up to sub-grade by the first week in November. Ballasting and track laying will be done in the spring of 1979.

Meanwhile, Loram crews have moved to the main line portion of the project where clearing and grading work will continue throughout the winter. Grading for a revision of the existing main line to accommodate construction of a new bridge across the Bow River is to be completed this month and clearing and drilling related to blasting operations is also underway.

Blasting and rock work will be done during the winter season when traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway is light. Construction of bridge abutments is scheduled to take place during low water periods.