Alberta building wildlife overpass near Canmore
Posted Apr 7, 2022 4:55 pm.
Last Updated Apr 7, 2022 5:00 pm.
Construction on a wildlife crossing located east of Canmore near Lac Des Arcs has begun and is expected to be complete by Fall 2023.
The overpass will include 12 kilometers of fencing along the highway to help guide wildlife toward safe crossing points.
“This overpass will drastically reduce the chances of wildlife-vehicle collisions,” Transport Minister Rajan Sawhney said at a press conference on Thursday.
“The overpass will not only increase safety for the traveling public and wildlife, it will save thousands of dollars each year in property damage caused by collisions.”
Construction on a new wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Canmore is underway. The new crossing, with an anticipated opening of fall 2023, will improve highway safety and reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions. https://t.co/wm1bXz2flA pic.twitter.com/lBkKvvgfb7
— Rajan Sawhney (@RajanJSaw) April 7, 2022
Minister Sawhney was joined by Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon and MLA for Banff-Kananaskis Miranda Rosin.
“The wildlife overpass announced today will create a safe, natural route for wildlife crossing in the Bow Valley area,” said Nixon.
“Preserving their well-being and protecting the lives of Albertans as they travel Highway 1,” said Nixon.
The province says about 30,000 vehicles travel along this section of Highway 1 every day, and there are an average of 69 vehicles that collide with wildlife every year in the area.
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“The proper coexistence of humans and wildlife is integral to life in the Bow Valley,” said Rosin.
“This overpass, the first of its kind outside a national park in Alberta, will help keep all visitors, commuters, and wildlife that travel the Trans-Canada Highway safe on their journey.”
The construction of the overpass is estimated to cost $17.5 million dollars and create 102 jobs.
