Wildlife fence for Hwy 3

Photo: Alberta Gov't

A new wildlife fence along Highway 3 through the Crowsnest Pass will cut down on animal collisions.

The Alberta government is installing the fencing along both sides of the highway through the critical wildlife corridor.

The project is expected to save animal lives and make travel to Southern Alberta from B.C. safer.

“Improving traffic safety while protecting wildlife along our highways is a win-win," said Brian Mason, Alberta's minister of transportation and infrastructure

Stephen Legault, with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, said the fence is critical to wildlife preservation.

“Highway 3 through the Crowsnest Pass is one of the most important links for wildlife in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. This fencing project is an exciting first step in ensuring bighorn sheep, grizzly bears and other iconic wildlife can move up and down the Rocky Mountains safely," he said.

A nearby project will also see new rockfall protection along the highway, including new mesh and a five-metre wall below a 20-metre cliff to prevent rocks from falling onto the road.

That project will cost $1.1 million, while the fencing will cost $280,000.

Roughly 1,440 metres of wildlife fencing will be installed in four sections near Crowsnest Lake and Emerald Lake, including six “jump-outs,” one-way ramps to allow animals that have jumped the fence to get back to the natural area.

The fencing will also direct animals under an existing bridge so they can safely cross the highway.