Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Inception: First overpasses built in 1996
Scope (as of 2014): 44 crossing structures (6 overpasses, 38 underpasses), plus 82 km of fencing
Impact: Over 80% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions; more than 10,000 crossings on the Red Earth overpass alone—part of over 200,000 total crossings that likely prevented thousands of animal fatalities
Origins: When Safety Met Science
In response to rising traffic and wildlife fatalities, Parks Canada initiated highway expansion in the early 1980s. The first two wildlife overpasses were completed in 1996, each costing about $1.5 million1. These pioneering structures paved the way for a broader network supported by fencing and long-term ecological monitoring.
Growing the Network: From Two Bridges to 44 Crossings
By January 2014, the project had expanded to include 6 overpasses and 38 underpasses—making it the most extensive network of wildlife crossings in the world—complemented by 82 km of highway fencing2. Since 1996, these structures have recorded over 200,000 wildlife crossings by at least 11 species of large mammals3.
Lives Saved: Numbers That Speak Volumes
One flagship example is the Red Earth overpass, which alone has enabled over 10,000 safe animal crossings, dramatically reducing the risk of fatal encounters with vehicles4. While it’s difficult to quantify every life saved, the scale of crossings strongly suggests thousands of fatalities have been prevented over time.
Collision Reduction & Wildlife Adaptation
Collectively, Banff’s crossings and fencing have reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by over 80%, and by as much as 96% for elk and deer5. Species have also adapted their behavior: grizzly bear crossings increased from just 7 in 1996 to more than 100 by 2006, while wolf crossings rose from 2 to nearly 1406.
Why Banff’s Crossings Are a Global Template
Celebrated as “Canada’s biggest conservation success story,” Banff’s wildlife crossing network has inspired similar efforts across the globe. From the U.S. to Asia and South America, governments and conservationists now replicate this model to reconcile road infrastructure with wildlife protection7.
Conclusion: Healing Earth, One Crossing at a Time
The Banff Wildlife Crossings project exemplifies how science-driven design can save lives—both animal and human—while preserving ecological connectivity. What began in 1996 with two innovative overpasses has grown into a globally recognized model of sustainable infrastructure.
Banff’s wildlife crossings prove that infrastructure can evolve in harmony with nature—protecting life, restoring habitat, and inspiring global change.
References:
¹ National Geographic - Banff Wildlife Crossings
² Parks Canada - Banff National Park Wildlife Crossings
³ Canadian Geographic - Banff's Wildlife Overpasses
⁴ National Geographic - Red Earth Overpass Data
⁵ The Wildlife Society - Collision Reduction Stats
⁶ Parks Canada - Species Adaptation Data
⁷ GreaterGood - Global Impact of Banff Crossings
