![]() The crossing has also received formal support from local municipalities, first responders, businesses, tourism organizations, researchers and recreationists. This overpass has been urgently requested for many years, not only by Y2Y and partners, but by thousands of residents and visitors with concerns about wildlife and safety. region to help maintain connectivity of this large landscape. “It is also one of a dozen efforts going forward in the transboundary Canada-U.S. Jodi Hilty, Y2Y president and chief scientist. It also is part of the most intact mountain region in the world and will add to the more than 117 existing crossings dedicated for wildlife across 3,200 kilometers of landscape,” says Dr. For one, the advancement of wildlife crossings across the Rockies and along the Trans-Canada highway from Banff to Yoho, and now the first outside of a national park in Alberta. While there have been underpasses, this is the first overpass crossing in Alberta outside a national park. A wildlife crossing is being built east of Canmore, Alta. Highways threaten connectivity because many animals get hit by cars attempting to cross, or because they choose not to risk it at all. Wildlife crossings are a proven method to provide safe passage in a cost-effective manner.Īnimals that can roam the landscape freely are able to stay connected to a larger population, helping maintain their genetic diversity and improve resiliency to environmental changes. These animals and others need to move through the landscape to access food, water, safety and mates. Highways are barriers for wide-ranging mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, and elk. While wildlife crossings contribute to drivers’ peace of mind when travelling to and through the Rocky Mountains, the structures also serve a key ecological purpose. Animals like elk, deer and bears need to cross the road at Bow Valley Gap, and this overpass will help them do it in a way that is safe for them and for the many thousands of people driving this highway every day,” says Adam Linnard, Alberta program manager at Y2Y. “Adding a wildlife overpass east of Banff National Park offers a proven solution to a known problem. This commitment puts the safety of wildlife and people on Bow Valley highways at the forefront, but is also important for wildlife habitat connectivity on a larger scale. This crossing structure is at a key point of the Yellowstone to Yukon region, and is one of several wildlife mitigation projects planned for the province. Contractors broke ground on the site on Highway 1 east of Canmore near Highway 1X. Today, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) celebrates the start of construction on Alberta’s first wildlife overpass on provincial lands. ![]() Make your shopping count for conservation. ![]()
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