Urgent: Alberta’s Highway Fence Plan Faces Wildlife Concerns

UPDATE: An urgent highway fencing project in Canmore, Alberta, set to begin in 2026, is facing significant backlash from local leaders over potential negative impacts on wildlife. The initiative aims to reduce vehicle collisions with animals along the Trans-Canada Highway, but officials warn that the current design may endanger wildlife instead.

Mayor Sean Krausert emphasizes the importance of the fencing for both driver and animal safety. However, he argues that the proposed design lacks adequate crossing points for wildlife, stating, “The current plan does not give animals enough adequate places to cross the highway.” Local wildlife advocates echo his concerns, highlighting critical flaws in the design.

The plan includes fencing along both sides of the highway from the Banff East Gate to Harvie Heights. However, the proposed structure leaves a staggering 10-kilometre gap between suitable wildlife crossings. According to Adam Linnard from the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, best practices suggest crossings should be available every two kilometres. “Just keeping it the same is not going to cut it,” he warned.

The existing structure at the Highway 1/1A interchange, identified as a wildlife crossing, is criticized as “highly inappropriate” for animal use. Linnard stated, “It’s designed for a railroad and highways to intersect. It could be improved, but it’s not a wildlife crossing right now.”

With growing development in the Bow Valley, wildlife movement is increasingly constrained. Linnard stressed the ecological significance of allowing wildlife to traverse freely for their survival, saying, “Populations will decline when they are cut off from parts of their natural habitat.”

Despite the urgent concerns, Alberta Transportation has confirmed that no upgrades to existing crossings are planned as part of the fencing project. A spokesperson stated, “The fencing project complements the existing wildlife crossings, and the data collection done by the Alberta government showcases that animals can safely be guided with the new fencing project.”

Originally expected to commence last summer, the project faced delays due to stakeholder consultations. Construction is now slated for 2026, but a precise date remains unconfirmed as funding is finalized.

Mayor Krausert is set to meet with provincial officials in early 2026 during a wildlife coexistence session to further address these pressing issues. Meanwhile, Linnard remains hopeful that additional crossings will be added in the future, despite their absence in the initial phase of the project.

As this situation develops, the call for more effective wildlife crossings grows louder. The community and conservationists urge immediate action to adapt the fencing plan to ensure the safety of both wildlife and drivers. The implications of this project will resonate throughout the Bow Valley, impacting the delicate balance between development and conservation.

Stay tuned for further updates on this critical wildlife issue.