By Steve Hubrecht
Work on the long-awaited overpass south of Radium Hot Springs for bighorn sheep and other wildlife finally began this summer, and is scheduled to finish early next summer.
The resident herd of bighorn is internationally famous, but gained even more attention for all the wrong reasons in 2020 and 2021, when 15 sheep were killed in a single winter, most from vehicle strikes. The herd currently numbers 120 and bighorn experts have repeatedly emphasized that such losses to the Radium herd are not sustainable in the long run.
After much discussion and consultation, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) committed to building a wildlife overpass over Highway 93/95 several kilometres south of the village, along with highway-side wildlife fencing on the Radium Hill, one of the worst spots for bighorn-vehicle fatalities. Such overpass-fencing setups are common in Banff and Kootenay National Parks.
Several years of fundraising ensued, and in June this year, construction finally began, with Hanna Infrastructure Ltd. awarded the $5.8 million contract to make the 30-metre-wide steel and concrete arch overpass.
Motorists driving up or down Radium Hill have seen construction efforts underway over the past few months. Steps finished or currently underway include excavation and concrete pouring for the west foundation wall and footing.
“Radium Hot Springs has a long history with the bighorn sheep, and our community has rallied for years around helping protect these iconic animals,” said Radium Mayor Mike Gray.
He noted that with the strong work of many champions within the community, MLA Doug Clovechok, Parks Canada, Teck Resources, Canfor, Lake Windermere Rod & Gun Club, Shuswap Band, MOTI, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and so many other individuals, “we are thrilled to see this project turn into a reality.”
The overpass and roadwork are scheduled to be finished by June 15, 2025.
Gray explained this is for the overpass construction and roadworks only, and does not include the wildlife fencing, adding that “currently we’re looking on substantial completion of the fencing by December 31, 2025.”
Both local First Nations in the Columbia Valley are involved with the wildlife fencing part of the project: the Shuswap Band’s construction company is building the fencing and gates and the Ktunaxa Nation Council completed tree clearing for the fencing.
The Pioneer asked MOTI for timelines and cost breakdowns of each step in the construction process, but in a statement it explained that “the ministry does not provide details on each component of the construction, as timelines and costs for each component can vary and are at the discretion of the contractor.”
MOTI added that motorists should expect minor delays through the construction zone, and advised checking DriveBC.ca for updates.
