Traffic Advisory – 2026 Montana’s Brier

Dates: Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 8

The City of St. John’s is excited to host the 2026 Montana's Brier! With thousands of people expected throughout the event, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and stay informed about traffic and transportation impacts in the downtown area.  

Increased traffic is anticipated. To help avoid delays, consider carpooling with friends or family, using taxis or ride-sharing services, or taking public transit. If you plan to drive, arriving early is strongly recommended, as parking availability will be limited.

You can click the links below to jump to each section:

• Temporary Pedestrian Crossing and Lane Reductions
• Metrobus Brier TransitPass
• Parking
• Accessibility
• Contact
  

Temporary Pedestrian Crossing and Lane Reductions

To improve safety and pedestrian access to the Brier, New Gower Street between Barter’s Hill and Adelaide Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction. This change will allow for a temporary pedestrian crossing between Queen Street and the Mary Brown’s Centre. Traffic control personnel will be on site during the times noted below to manage both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Additional pedestrian access to the Mary Brown’s Centre is available via the Delta pedway. Accredited guests and guests with accessibility needs can also access the Mary Brown's Centre via the St. John's Convention Centre (SJCC) pedway. 

Metrobus Brier TransitPass

From February 27 to March 8, 2026, Metrobus is offering a Brier TransitPass for just $30. The pass provides unlimited access to all Metrobus routes, as well as GoBus Accessible Transit (pre-approval required), throughout the event period.

To accommodate increased demand during this time, Route 3 will operate on an enhanced schedule with more frequent service.

Learn More

Parking

On-Street Parking

On-street parking spaces are located throughout downtown, serviced by Pay Stations and the PayByPhone app. Motorists must follow posted signage in all areas.

Paid on-street parking is enforced Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

A parking ban is in place daily between 4 to 6 a.m. on the following streets in the downtown business district:

• Water Street, from Waldegrave Street to Prescott Street 
• Duckworth Street, from New Gower Street to Cochrane Street

All bans will remain in place regardless of street or snow conditions. A vehicle may be ticketed and/or towed if they are parked in violation of the parking ban. 

Learn More

City Hall Parking Garage

The City Hall Parking Garage is not available for public parking Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for City Hall visitors, who may park on Level 1 for up to one hour.

During the Brier, St. John’s Sports and Entertainment will operate the garage for paid public parking during evenings and weekends. Weekday paid parking begins at 5 p.m. daily. Weekend paid parking hours are as follows: 

• Saturday, February 28: 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 1: 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 7: 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 8: 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Parking is $12 per entry. 

Privately Owned Parking Garages and Lots

Motorists may use paid, privately owned parking garages and lots, including:

• 351 Water Street
• 330 Duckworth Street
• 125 Water Street (Alt Hotel)
• 277-281 Water Street, accessed near 125 Harbour Drive (Bowring Centre)
• 1 Clift Baird's Cove (Sonco)

Privately owned parking lots in the City may enforce their own parking rules by using vehicle immobilization (booting). Private operators have the legal right to manage parking on their property under the Highway Traffic Act. The City does not have the legal authority to regulate enforcement practices in private parking lots, including booting.

Always check posted signage at the entrance and throughout the lot for restrictions, including evening and weekend requirements. Failure to follow posted rules may result in fines, towing, or immobilization.

Accessibility

The GoBus drop off and pick up location is in front of the Mary Brown's Centre. GoBus users must reserve their ride. Users can book a ride using the "My Gobus" mobile app, online booking portal, call 709-368-8887 or text 709-765-5847.

Accessible parking will be available in the St. John's Convention Centre parking garage, accessed via Waldegrave Street. Attendees with accessibility needs may access the Mary Brown's Centre through the pedway from the St. John’s Convention Centre.

To learn more about other accessible parking spaces, refer to our accessible parking map.

Contact

For inquiries regarding the 2026 Montana's Brier, please contact Curling Canada.

For questions and concerns related to traffic and parking, please contact Access St. John's by calling 311 or (709) 754-CITY (2489), email access@stjohns.ca or submit an inquiry online.