New emergency access road strengthens response to growing west Lethbridge neighbourhoods

A new emergency access road in west Lethbridge will help first responders reach growing neighbourhoods faster when seconds count.

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) is advising residents that a new temporary emergency access road connecting Great Bear Boulevard West to Metis Trail West is now complete and open for emergency response use only. 

The temporary gravel access road provides LFES with an additional emergency response route to west Lethbridge neighbourhoods, including Copperwood, Crossings, Garry Station and Country Meadows. 

“This project supports faster, more reliable emergency response to some of the fastest-growing areas of our city,” says Greg Adair, Chief of Fire and EMS. “The response time information presented to City Council showed this access road can make a meaningful difference on some west side response routes. Having another direct route from Station #5 strengthens our ability to serve residents safely and efficiently.”

The road is for emergency access only. It is not open to public vehicle traffic, and residents are reminded not to drive, park or obstruct the emergency access road.

The temporary gravel roadway follows the same alignment as the existing outline plan roadway for Great Bear Boulevard. It connects directly to the existing gravel roadway along 25 Street/Metis Trail West. 

The project improves emergency response times by creating redundant access from Fire Station #5. Redundant access is especially important during emergencies, road closures, construction impacts or other situations where primary routes may be delayed or unavailable. 

Information presented to City Council showed the new emergency access road could reduce travel time from Fire Station #5 by several minutes for some west side response routes. In one example, the emergency access route reduced estimated travel time from approximately 5 minutes and 15 seconds to 1 minute and 40 seconds. In another example, the estimated travel time was reduced from approximately 4 minutes and 10 seconds to 2 minutes and 20 seconds. 

Actual response times will vary based on the location and nature of the emergency, traffic, weather, road conditions and unit availability. The benefit of the new access road is that it gives emergency crews another direct route to reach residents more quickly. 

In December 2025, City Council approved the temporary emergency access road project, funded through the Major Capital Projects Reserve. Ongoing operating and maintenance costs will be managed by the City of Lethbridge’s Transportation department through its existing operating budget. More information about the project background is available in the previous construction update. 

The temporary emergency access road will remain in place until permanent roadways and infrastructure are developed through future residential development phasing, as identified in the Watermark Outline Plan. 

“Emergency response depends on more than stations, crews and equipment,” says Chief Adair. “It also depends on the road network that allows crews to reach people quickly. This emergency access road is a practical step to support public safety as west Lethbridge continues to grow.”

Further background on the project is available at lethbridge.ca.

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