Fort McMurray Heritage Shipyard, Image via Economic Development and Tourism
FORT McMURRAY — A section of Clearwater Drive is now closed as construction continues on a major portion of Fort McMurray’s downtown flood mitigation system.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo closed Clearwater Drive between Queen Street and Riedel Street on Wednesday, with the closure expected to remain in place through September.
Drivers are being directed to use Manning Avenue as the designated detour and should allow additional travel time.
The closure is required for construction of Reach 6 of the downtown flood mitigation project, which includes an earth berm along Clearwater Drive from Riedel Street to Longboat Landing. Underground storm sewer improvements are also planned at Alberta Drive and Marshall Street.
The project will also affect pedestrians and trail users. The trail along Clearwater Drive from Riedel Street to Franklin Avenue will remain closed for the rest of 2026.
Other construction impacts include driveway interruptions, sidewalk closures, transit impacts and the use of a construction laydown yard.
The work follows the temporary relocation of the Heritage Shipyard to accommodate construction of the berm.
As previously reported, the shipyard was moved from its Clearwater Drive location to a temporary site behind the downtown Sobeys on Riedel Street.
The municipality has said the temporary move is necessary to allow construction to proceed while preserving the historic structures and artifacts. The shipyard collection will eventually be moved to a new museum being constructed adjacent to the original site.
Reach 6 construction began in December 2025. Once completed, the section will connect with other portions of Fort McMurray’s flood mitigation system designed to reduce the risk of future flooding downtown.
The overall construction period for the current work is expected to continue into late September or October.
The municipality says schedules and road closure dates could change depending on weather and construction progress.
CLH Contracting Ltd. is the contractor for the project.
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