Alberta's Legacy Trail to expand through Canmore

The popular Legacy Trailbike path through Banff National Park is expanding past the park boundaries.

Canmore residents celebrated the opening of their own connection to Banff National Park today anew stretch running from the town to the Banff park gates.

The province also announced another extension will be built through Canmore, sayingthe projectis integralin helping the flood-ravaged townget back in business.

Canmore MayorJohn Borrowman saysthe extension of the bike pathopens Canmore to many of the benefits, including tourism and recreation.

"The physical connection of the Legacy Trail affirms and strengthens the connections that Canmore residents and our visitors feel to the national park," he said.

Transportation Minister Ric McIversays the extension also means cyclists won't have to venture onto the Trans-Canada Highway to make the trip.

"Safety will be looked after to travellers and locals and fun because... quality of life mattersit matters to Albertans and it matters to people who visit here,"said McIver.

Another $14 million was also pledged to repave parts of theTrans-Canada Highway in the area, including sections damaged in the flood.