Parks Canada crews have completed new underpasses and fencing to help reduce the number of wildlife collisions on the busy highway that runs through Radium Hot Springs.
Parks Canada announced the completion of the three wildlife tunnels and 4.6 kilometres of fenced highway along Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park on Friday.
“Our Government is very pleased to support this important project that will improve highway safety for motorists and the health and well-being of wildlife in Kootenay National Park,” said David Wilks,Member of Parliament for Kootenay–Columbia. “Wildlife exclusion fencing has a proven track record of helping to keep large animals away from roadsides while directing them to crossing structures like underpasses, connecting landscapes and wildlife.”
A large number of deer, elk, moose, wolves and foxes have been hit by vehicles on the roadway over the years and officials hope the new underpasses and fencing will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area.
The underpasses and fencing were built near the Dolly Varden Day Use Area and should also improve safety for drivers.
The project cost $4.9 million and the funding came from the Government of Canada as part of an ‘Action on the Ground’ initiative.
Parks Canada is a world leader in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and similar projects in neighbouring Banff National Park along the Trans-Canada Highway have reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by 80 percent overall and by 96 percent for elk and deer.
For more information, visit the Parks Canada website.
