Thursday, June 19, 2025
The Government of Alberta announced that the new wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway, near Lac Des Arcs, will be named in honour of former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed.
In 1977, Premier Lougheed accepted an invitation for a helicopter tour of what is now known as Kananaskis Country. He was so impressed by what he saw that his government created Kananaskis Country to preserve the breathtaking landscape and ecosystem of the region.
Today, Kananaskis Country spans 4,000 square kilometres and includes five provincial parks. Premier Lougheed contributed so much to conserve and promote Alberta’s natural beauty, so it is fitting to honour his legacy by naming the new wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway the Honourable Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass. Construction of the $17.5-million overpass began in 2022, and the project was completed last year.
Read ReNew Canada‘s cover feature on the Alberta’s first wildlife overpass outside Banff National Park.
“Naming this structure in honour of former premier Lougheed provides a long-lasting reminder of his work to preserve Kananaskis Country for our enjoyment and the safety of the wildlife that roam through the region,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
“Our job at Forestry and Parks is to take care of the land, the wildlife and the places Albertans love to explore. This overpass is a great example of how we’re working to protect both animals and people. Naming it after Premier Lougheed is a great way to honour the man whose vision helped create Kananaskis Country in the first place. His legacy lives on every time a hiker hits the trail, a family sets up camp or a bear crosses the highway safely,” said Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks.
The Honourable Peter Lougheed Wildlife Overpass, on the northern tip of Kananaskis Country, provides a gateway for wildlife to cross safely into and out of the area. It is one of the busiest wildlife corridors in the region, as bears, elk, deer, lynx and other animals travel between the mountains, the foothills and valleys below. Organizations like the Yellowhead to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) and the Miistakis Institute have studied wildlife movements in the region, and with their input this site was selected.
“This overpass is a major milestone in advancing wildlife crossings in one of the most important landscapes for wildlife movement in the entire Yellowstone to Yukon region. We applaud the Alberta Government’s leadership in hugely advancing these projects, as they’ve created a conservation success story that benefits both wildlife and people.” said Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist, Y2Y.
Featured image: (Government of Alberta)
