Lake Louise Traffic Safety and Wildlife Connectivity Program

2022-2025 | Lake Louise, AB

Improving Traffic Safety and Mobility in Lake Louise

Surging visitation to Lake Louise — between 10-12,000 visitors on an average summer day — placed significant strain on aging infrastructure, increasing congestion and safety risks.

McElhanney partnered with Parks Canada (PCA) to deliver a coordinated infrastructure program along Lake Louise Drive and Whitehorn Drive, improving safety, traffic flow, and ecological connectivity in one of Canada’s most visited destinations.

Addressing Congestion, Safety, and Environmental Pressures

As a high-use national park and transportation corridor, the project needed to respond to intersecting challenges:

Traffic congestion on constrained mountain roads and intersections
Aging infrastructure
Human–wildlife conflict across key habitat corridors
Sensitive natural systems, including aquatic and protected environments

The solution required balancing reliable access with long-term environmental stewardship.

Integrated Engineering Solutions for Transportation and Ecology

McElhanney delivered a phased, multidisciplinary program integrating transportation engineering with environmental planning.

Key improvements included:

Roundabout installation: Replacing a four-way stop to improve traffic flow and reduce delays
Road rehabilitation: Durable pavement upgrades, including aramid fibre reinforcement suited to alpine conditions
Wildlife connectivity: A purpose-built wildlife underpass enabling safe crossings for various species, with documented interactions including mule deer, porcupine, grizzly bears, lynx, and moose.
Active transportation: Trail realignments to reduce disturbance in wildlife corridors
Environmental protection: Creek stabilization to support fish habitat and limit erosion
Traffic management: Coordinated construction and operations to maintain peak-season access

This approach ensured mobility improvements supported ecological outcomes – not at their expense.

Results: Safer Travel and Stronger Ecological Connectivity

The program improved safety and traffic flow while supporting more reliable access for visitors. It also reduced wildlife–human interactions through new connectivity measures and delivered resilient infrastructure designed for long-term use, all while protecting critical habitat and ecological integrity.