In the heart of Banff National Park, the Trans-Canada Highway weaves its way through the majestic Rocky Mountains, serving as a crucial transportation corridor between British Columbia and Alberta. For decades, this stretch of road has been a lifeline for commerce and tourism alike. However, as traffic volumes steadily increased, so did the number of tragic and often fatal wildlife-vehicle collisions. The need for a solution became impossible to ignore — and thus, the Banff Wildlife Crossings Project was born.

Launched in 1978 by Public Works Canada, the Banff Wildlife Crossings Project aimed to mitigate these deadly encounters while restoring essential wildlife migration routes that had been severed by the busy highway. The initiative was part of a broader effort to twin an 82-kilometer section of the Trans-Canada Highway — from the park’s east gate all the way to the British Columbia border — thereby improving both road safety and ecological connectivity.

The first major milestone came in 1996, with the construction of two wildlife overpasses, each costing approximately $1.5 million. These pioneering structures were not just bridges — they were a bold experiment in blending civil engineering with ecological stewardship. Since then, the project has grown substantially, now featuring 38 underpasses and six overpasses strategically placed across the highway segment that cuts through the park. These crossings have become critical lifelines for wildlife, allowing safe passage over or under the road.

To passing motorists, the overpasses might appear as ordinary vegetated mounds. But for animals, they represent a safe, unobstructed path between fragmented habitats. The tops of these overpasses are carefully designed with native soil and vegetation, mimicking the surrounding environment and encouraging use by a wide range of species. Additionally, fencing along the highway guides animals toward the crossings and prevents them from venturing onto the road, where the risk of collision is highest.

Extensive research and long-term monitoring have revealed the project’s impressive success. Over a dozen species — including elk, deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, lynx, wolverines, and bears — have been documented using the crossings. Elk were among the first large animals to test the structures, even before construction had been completed. Interestingly, each species exhibits distinct preferences: open-air overpasses are favored by species such as grizzly bears, moose, and elk, while more enclosed underpasses are preferred by cougars and black bears.

Beyond drastically reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions — by more than 80% overall and over 96% for deer and elk specifically — the crossings have contributed to a healthier and more genetically diverse ecosystem. By reconnecting previously isolated habitats, these structures enable animals to migrate, breed, and expand their territories, bolstering the resilience of local wildlife populations.

Perhaps most notably, the Banff Wildlife Crossings Project has become a global symbol of conservation innovation. Researchers, engineers, and conservationists from around the world have visited Banff to study the project’s design, implementation, and outcomes. Inspired by Banff’s success, similar wildlife crossings are now being developed across the globe — from tiger corridors in India and howler monkey bridges in Costa Rica, to jaguar crossings in Argentina and panther paths in Florida.

More than just an engineering achievement, the Banff Wildlife Crossings Project stands as a testament to what’s possible when science, government agencies, and environmental stewardship align. It’s a compelling reminder that human infrastructure and wildlife conservation don’t have to be at odds — and that with thoughtful planning, coexistence is not only possible but sustainable.

In a world facing escalating environmental pressures, the project offers a beacon of hope — proving that even in high-traffic, human-dominated landscapes, nature can thrive when given the right opportunities.