Published: April 20, 2026
Last Friday was a proud evening for McElhanney, as two of our projects were recognized at the Consulting Engineers of Alberta (CEA) Showcase Awards Gala – one of the province’s most respected celebrations of engineering excellence.
Delivered in partnership with Parks Canada, these award-winning projects span two of Canada’s most iconic National Parks – Jasper and Banff – where complex technical challenges called for innovative solutions that balanced public safety, environmental protection, and long-term durability.
Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre, Jasper National Park, AB
Award of Excellence, Environmental I Client & Project Owner: Parks Canada
The rapid decline of woodland caribou within Jasper National Park created an urgent need for intervention to prevent the loss of the remaining southern mountain population – a species central to Canada’s natural and cultural heritage. In response, Parks Canada launched a conservation breeding program to rebuild self-sustaining caribou herds while preserving the park’s ecological integrity.
McElhanney served as prime consultant for the planning and delivery of North America’s first Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre: a 65-hectare facility near Athabasca Falls within a Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Working alongside Parks Canada, Indigenous partners, wildlife specialists, veterinarians, and architects, our team developed a custom hub-and-pen layout designed to support animal welfare, reduce handling stress, and prepare caribou for eventual reintroduction to the wild.
Environmental stewardship informed every aspect of the site’s design: infrastructure was carefully positioned to preserve wetlands, maintain natural drainage patterns, and limit permanent disturbance across the landscape. FireSmart planning, fuel-reduction strategies, and fire-resistant materials also proved critical when a wildfire reached the site in 2024, protecting the facility’s structures.
The centre welcomed its first caribou in winter 2025, and seven healthy calves were born the following spring: an early but meaningful step toward restoring caribou populations in Jasper National Park.
Lake Louise Traffic Safety & Wildlife Connectivity Program, Banff National Park, AB
Category: Award of Merit, Transportation Infrastructure – Roads, Interchanges, Airports, Mass Transit I Client & Project Owner: Parks Canada
Rising visitation and aging infrastructure were putting sustained pressure on Lake Louise’s transportation network. Parks Canada recognized the need for a coordinated response to improve traffic flow while protecting the surrounding natural environment.
As prime consultant, McElhanney delivered a multidisciplinary program to improve safety and reliability along Lake Louise Drive and adjacent roadways. In collaboration with Parks Canada and environmental specialists, our team replaced a congested four-way stop with a modern single-lane roundabout, significantly improving traffic flow and reducing delays during peak tourism periods.
The program also included constructing a wildlife underpass, realigning the trail, and stabilizing the creek to support fish passage and long-term habitat connectivity.
Construction was carefully staged to maintain access during peak seasons. Dynamic traffic management, night paving, and phased delivery minimized disruption to visitors and local operations. Innovative materials – including aramid fibre-reinforced pavement – were also introduced to improve durability in harsh winter conditions and reduce long-term maintenance requirements.
The program has since improved safety for motorists and pedestrians, reduced wildlife-vehicle conflicts, and strengthened long-term resilience in Canada’s most visited National Park.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and thank you to the clients, staff, subconsultants, and partners who contributed to these projects. We’re proud to see this work recognized and grateful to collaborate with those committed to protecting Canada’s communities and landscapes.
Read more about this year’s winners at: https://cea.ca/Showcase2026winners.html