A warning to all of those looking to get out of Calgary this long weekend, expect traffic delays with the kick-off of the Tour of Alberta.

The government of Alberta is issuing a warning ahead of time given the amount of road closures that the race will require.

“It brings 104 athletes to the province for elite competition,” said government spokesperson Jamie Friesen. “There are five stages.”

“Number one is road safety, Alberta sherriffs and RCMP will be on site maintaining blockades but the biggest thing will be the short closures of highways in the mountain parks and that vicinity,” he said. “We want to make sure that everyone was well aware and didn’t get caught by it.”

Friesen says the length of the closure will depend on the specific closure, such as Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country will be closed for an hour on Friday.

“We want to make sure if you’re heading into the mountains this weekend that you either go Friday morning or you wait until after it’s done.”

“Be ready for some minor delays and follow detour signs, follow law-enforcement officers directions, take your time, hopefully you can stop in and cheer on some of the competitors,” he added.

The Tour of Alberta kicks off on Thursday.

Stage 1

Lethbridge

Thursday, Sept. 1

Fourth Avenue South and Scenic Drive North will be closed between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The ramp exiting Highway 3 onto Scenic Drive will be closed between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Third Avenue South from Scenic Drive to Stafford Drive will be closed all day.

Stage 2

Olds to Kananaskis Country

Friday, Sept. 2

Highway 40 will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1 will be closed from 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Highway 1X will be closed from 1:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1A between Highway 1X and Cochrane will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Speed will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 1A between Highway 1X and Cochrane from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Highway 1A through Cochrane will be closed from 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1A east of Cochrane to Highway 766 will be closed from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Speed will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 1A, east of Cochrane to Hwy 766, from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Rolling closures from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Highway 766 will affect all Township Roads between Highway 1A and Highway 27, and Highways 567, 574, 580 and 582.

Rolling closures from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Highway 27.

Westbound Highway 27 between Highway 766 and Olds will be closed from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 27 between Highway 766 and Olds between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Highway 27 in Olds will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Stage 3

Drayton Valley to Rocky Mountain House

Saturday, Sept. 3

Highway 598 will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Highway 761 will be closed from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Highway 12 will be closed from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Rolling closures from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Highway 22 southbound and from Highway 12 to Highway 616, affecting all Township Roads between Highways 12 and 39 and Highways 53 and 13.

Speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h northbound on Highway 22, from Highway 12 to Highway 616, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Highway 616 west of Highway 22 will be closed from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Highway 39 between Highway 22 and Drayton Valley will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Highway 22 in Drayton Valley between 50 Avenue and Jubilee Avenue will be closed between 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

Stage 4

Edmonton

Sunday, Sept. 4, noon to 6:00 p.m.

Road closures on Groat Road, River Valley Road and William Hawrelak Park Road.

Stage 5

Edmonton

Monday, Sept., noon to 6;00 p.m.

Road closures on 95 Street, 100 Avenue, 102 Avenue, 102A Avenue, 103 Avenue, 103 Street,

107 Street, Bellamy Hill Road, Fortway Drive, Grierson Hill, River Valley Road, Rossdale Road and Victoria Park Road.