EVR’s $2.5 million contribution to a new wildlife overpass helps protect bighorn sheep, motorists

The East Kootenays play a vital role in wildlife connectivity, providing essential pathways for species moving between mountain ranges.

EVR collaborated with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit and other partners on a new wildlife overpass across Highway 93/95 south of Radium Hot Springs. The project, located south of Radium Hot Springs, is designed to reduce collisions involving one of the area’s last viable bighorn sheep herds.

“Through our $2.5 million contribution to the Radium wildlife overpass, EVR is helping to maintain wildlife connectivity and protect the region’s vulnerable bighorn sheep population,” said Mike Carrucan, CEO, EVR. “This project not only makes this stretch of highway safer for animals, it also increases safety for residents and visitors, and we are proud to collaborate on such an important project.”

The new overpass includes a 34-metre-wide steel and concrete arch, creating a safe crossing point for wildlife over the busy highway. To guide animals towards the structure, the project also includes six kilometres of wildlife fencing and gates, helping prevent animals from entering traffic lanes. 

“Highway 93/95 is an important route for people and communities in the area,” said Mike Farnworth, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Transit. “By reducing collisions between vehicles and Radium’s bighorn sheep herd and other wildlife, we’re making a busy transportation corridor safer and enabling the long-term health of travellers and the area’s four-legged inhabitants.”

Animals began to use the overpass in 2025 even before construction was complete, demonstrating its immediate benefit in reducing collisions and supporting a strong ecosystem.

“Radium’s bighorn sheep are part of what makes this area so special, and it’s wonderful to see them already using this new overpass,” said Randene Neill, B.C. Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This project is a great example of people coming together to care for wildlife, support the recovery of a beloved local herd and make the roads safer for everyone travelling through Radium Hot Springs.”

The project was delivered by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, Parks Canada, the Shuswap Band, the Ktunaxa Nation Council, the Village of Radium, Elk Valley Resources (EVR), ICBC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, reflecting the shared commitment to conservation and community safety.

Quick Facts:

• The new overpass connects national park lands to the east with the Columbia Wetlands to the west, supporting a variety of wildlife, including the local bighorn sheep herd, badger, black bear, cougar, deer and elk.
• When used with wildlife fencing, crossing structures can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 80%.
• At 34 metres wide, Radium wildlife overpass is the widest wildlife crossing in B.C. outside of national parks.

You can learn more about the wildlife overpass here.