Despite big budget cuts in Education and Health it is still good news for wildlife in Alberta, as a multi-million dollar wildlife overpass on the deadly Trans-Canada Highway east of Lac des Arcs is a step closer to reality.

The government of Alberta allocated $20 million over four years for wildlife protection in the 2019 budget, which includes a wildlife overpass and associated fencing on a stretch of highway near the Highway 1X interchange.

Last year, Alberta Transportation hired a consultant to do the design and cost benefit analysis of the structure, and Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin this week said the long-talked about highway mitigation is dealt with in the 2019 provincial budget.

“$20 million has been budgeted to construct wildlife fencing and overpasses across the province, with the corridor between Calgary and Banff ranked as a top priority,” she said in a statement.

It saves at least $720,000 per year in costs for wildlife collisions on this part of the highway!