Banff National Park of Canada

Park Management

Table of Contents | Introduction | Current Twinning | Highway Fencing & Wildlife Crossings

Introduction

The Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park was built in the early 1950s as a scenic, low volume, two-lane highway. It has transformed into a major commercial highway and the most important trade corridor between Western Canada and points east. It’s also the primary access route to Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, which belong to the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.

• Starting in 1981, segments of the 83 km section of Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park have been upgraded in phases from two lanes to a four lane divided highway. The Trans-Canada Highway has now been twinned and fenced from the park’s east entrance to three km west of Lake Louise. The remaining 5.5 km segment of two lane highway to the British Columbia border is scheduled for completion in 2012.
• Wildlife crossings, built to connect vital habitats and reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions along upgraded sections, have been monitored year-round since 1996. A total of 44 wildlife crossings (six overpasses and 38 underpasses) will be in place upon completion of the Trans-Canada Highway twinning project.    

 

Related Links Western Transportation Institute (Montana State University) US 93S Wildlife Crossing Structures

International Conference On Ecology and Transportation Kicking Horse Canyon Project Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative