New wildlife overpass to reduce collisions in high-risk bighorn sheep corridor

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, B.C. — A treacherous corridor for automobile collisions with bighorn sheep is receiving a new wildlife overpass.

The pass will be built south of Radium Hot Springs on a stretch of Highway 93/95 near Mile Hill. According to a news release, the area is home to the Radium herd of bighorn sheep, one of the last viable herds.

Roughly 10 per cent of the 120-sheep-strong herd are killed in collisions every year.

Along with the overpass, the Government of British Columbia will build six kilometres of wildlife fencing and gates to guide animals to the overpass. The project will go to tender in the next several weeks.

“Bighorn sheep are iconic to the Village of Radium Hot Springs and it is exciting to see the wildlife overpass built. When completed, the overpass will protect sheep, other wildlife, as well as motorists,” said Radium Mayor Mike Gray in the release.

The project is a partnership between B.C., Parks Canada, Radium Hot Springs, Teck Resources Ltd., the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Ktunaxa Nation Council and the Shuswap Band. Teck is contributing $2.5 million to the project, according to the release.