India, March 31 -- A long-standing cross-border route used by residents in southern Alberta is set to be closed to Canadian traffic from July 1. The decision by the US government cites security concerns and drug smuggling and has triggered outrage on both sides of the border.

Farmers and locals on both sides have been using the route, also referred to as "Border Road," for generations. It runs parallel to the border close to the Montana-Alberta line, east of the Coutts crossing. The route is maintained by Warner County, Alberta (the Canadian side).

Devin Dreeshen, the transportation minister for Alberta, has already promised to create a replacement road on the Canadian side. He claims that $8 million has been allocated for the project, ...