Concerns raised that highway fence plan will hurt wildlife in the Bow Valley

A highway fencing project in Canmore, Alta., meant to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife is moving ahead in 2026, but local leaders say the plan could end up harming wildlife if it remains unchanged.

The fences will run on both sides of the Trans-Canada Highway from the Banff East Gate through Canmore to Harvie Heights.

Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert said the fencing project is important to keep both drivers and wildlife safe. But the current design, he said, does not give animals enough adequate places to cross the highway. And some of the structures the province has identified as wildlife crossings, Krausert said, would be “highly inappropriate” for animals to use in their current form.

One example is the Highway 1/1A interchange. It wasn’t built for wildlife, but Krausert