Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia, September 27, 2013 -- Mr. David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay–Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the completion of construction of three wildlife underpasses and 4.6 kilometres of fenced highway in an area with the highest number of wildlife collisions on Highway 93 South in Kootenay National Park.
“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 Mr. Wilks. “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.”
Built near the Dolly Varden Day Use Area, wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area have included large numbers of deer, as well as elk, moose, wolves and foxes. A combination of fencing and underpasses has the potential to make a tangible reduction in the number of wildlife collisions, all while improving safety for motorists, residents and visitors.
This $4.9 million project was announced in 2009 as part of an ‘Action on the Ground’ initiative – funding set aside by the Government of Canada to address pressing ecological concerns in national parks across Canada. Originally, the project included the construction of only one to two wildlife underpasses and three kilometres of fencing. Thanks to increased budget flexibility realized during tendering, further highway-wildlife improvements were achieved.
“Effective project management has allowed us to deliver more wildlife underpasses and fencing than originally planned for the same cost to taxpayers,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “This important infrastructure improvement contributes to economic growth and strengthens tourism in local communities, all while helping to preserve and improve this wonderful place.”
This announcement builds on 18 years of wildlife crossing research in Canada’s mountain national parks and further positions Parks Canada as a world leader in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. In neighbouring Banff National Park, a combination of wildlife crossing structures and animal exclusion fencing along the Trans-Canada Highway has reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by over 80% (96% for elk and deer).
For additional information and updates on this project, please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/kootenay.
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