The Trans-Canada Highway east of Banff is one of Alberta’s busiest transportation corridors. For decades, it has also acted as a barrier for wildlife in the Bow Valley, fragmenting habitat and leading to frequent animal-vehicle collisions that threaten both wildlife and motorists. Species including elk, moose, deer, grizzly bears, black bears, and lynx rely on this landscape for migration, feeding, and breeding, yet crossing the highway safely has long been a challenge.
To address this, Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors worked with DIALOG Design to design the Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass, Alberta’s first wildlife overpass outside of a national park. Located near Exshaw, the naturalized structure spans the highway using twin steel arches and is planted with native vegetation to create a continuous habitat corridor. More than 12 kilometres of wildlife fencing guide animals safely to the crossing while reducing the risk of highway collisions.
Early monitoring has already recorded hundreds of successful wildlife crossings, while animal-vehicle collisions in the fenced area have dropped by 84 percent. By reconnecting fragmented habitats and restoring safe movement across the highway, the Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass improves public safety while supporting biodiversity and long-term ecosystem resilience in the Bow Valley.
