Winding through Crowsnest Pass, a low-lying valley surrounded by the granite faces of the Canadian Rockies, Highway 3 offers one of Alberta’s most picturesque drives. But it also cuts directly through the migratory path of bears, cougars, deer, elk, and more. It’s a hotbed for wildlife collisions.
Over the last eight years, just under 1,000 animal carcasses have been recorded along the 40 kilometre stretch of Highway 3 through Crowsnest Pass.
“It’s a significant problem. It doesn’t end well for the animal, and often doesn’t end well for people,” says Tim Johnson, the landscape connectivity specialist for Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y), a conservation initiative whose goal is to protect wildlife and their habitats along the spine of the Rocky Mountains.
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To tackle the issue, the Alberta government is working on building three wildlife overpasses and one underpass along Highway 3, as well as four instances of exclusionary fencing. And these aren’t the only projects being undertaken. Wildlife crossings are also planned for Highway 1A and Highway 1. This is because wildlife collisions are a province-wide issue. The provincial government says that wildlife collisions account for approximately 60 per cent of the accidents on rural highways in Alberta. And these collisions cost Albertans around $300,000 per day in direct and indirect costs, including property damage, health care, and highway clean-up.
Although, the costs of the crossings aren’t cheap either. Johnson says the ones he’s seen built have ranged from $5 million to $9 million. An overpass near Canmore that’s almost completed has cost $17.5 million. “Granted, it’s quite a bit bigger. It had to be designed for a future six lane Trans Canada Highway,” Johnson says.
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But these costs are made up within several years by the lack of collisions. Banff National Park is a good example. It was one of the first locations in Alberta to build wildlife crossings. In 1996, the government devoted $3 million to two wildlife overpasses. Banff has since developed into one of the most extensive systems of wildlife fencing and crossings in the world. It includes six overpasses, 38 underpasses, and 82 kilometres of highway fencing. This system has reduced wildlife collisions in the park by 80 per cent—96 per cent if you just look at deer and elk.
Wildlife is drawn to these areas because the highways are generally built in valleys. This is where animals find the most valuable habitat, food, and water. The crossings provide corridors for them to migrate safely. Which type of crossing is built—an underpass or an overpass—is dependent on the location and the type of animal that will be using it.
Underpasses are generally less expensive. Culverts can be used to create passageways for species beneath the highway. Underpasses cater to smaller animals, such as cougars, foxes, and coyotes. Whereas larger animals, such as deer, elk, and grizzlies require an overpass (or bridge) to feel safe when crossing. “A mix of both is ideal and that will serve the widest range of species,” Johnson says.
Despite the proven success of these crossings, funding can still be an issue. That’s why much of Y2Y’s time is consumed by public advocacy. The more public support for the crossings, the more likely the government is to fund them. “We really try to make the case that these are investments that are helping both people and wildlife,” Johnson says.
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