By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Driver Safety Key in Wildlife Fence and Rock-Fall Barrier Project

Aug 18, 2016 | 2:50 PM

CROWSNEST PASS – Steps are being taken to improve safety for motorists in the Crowsnest Pass by reducing wildlife collisions near Emerald Lake.
 
The $280,000 project involves building a roughly 1440-metre long, 2.4-metre high fence along four sections of Highway 3. It will stand about nine metres from the shoulder.
 
The fence will also feature six jump out points that work like a one way ramp, where animals who manage to clear the fence can get back over while staying off the road. The ultimate goal is to direct animals under an existing bridge and away from the highway.
 
Alberta Transportation explained that wildlife is attracted to the Emerald Lake area because of all the water available, as well as road salt during the winter.
 
“Highway 3 through the Crowsnest Pass is one of the most important links for wildlife in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. This fencing project is an exciting first step in ensuring bighorn sheep, grizzly bears and other iconic wildlife can move up and down the Rocky Mountain safely,” noted Stephen Legault, Program Director for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.
 
Environmental groups, like Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative , made this project possible through their consultation role with Alberta Transportation. Those include Anatum Ecological Consulting, the Miistakis Institute, Road Watch in the Pass, the Western Transport Institute, Volker Stevin and Alberta Environment and Parks.
 
A similar fence has already been built along Highway 1 in the Bow Valley region, and two additional sections of Highway 3 may be sites for future projects.
 
Falling rocks pose another risks to motorists in the same area. One of the most active rock-fall zones is nearly 20-metres wide, but extends for another 600-metres.
 
Over recent years, large boulders have fallen on to the highway, the largest being a desk-sized rock in 2004 that stooped in the middle of the road.
 
Currently, mesh nets cover the entire 600-metre section, anchored at the top and end just before ground level.
 
The newest design will replace the barrier in the most active parts, and will be able to absorb the impact. Maintenance should be reduced to simply removing accumulated rocks on the uphill side of the new barrier.