Rocky Mountain Reports & Studies

Kicking Horse Canyon

The Canadian Environment Assessment Act requires comprehensive environmental assessment studies be performed to aid in making informed decisions about the impact projects will have on the environment. Planning also requires studies of traffic and conditions of the  These reports and studies were created for the Kicking Horse Canyon Project.

• Planning
• Corridor Management
• Traffic Volume Statistics
• Accident Statistics
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Fish

Planning

• Relationship Review Process Description (175 KB PDF, 10 pages, April 2019)
  Describes the process (“Relationship Review Process”) for identifying issues related to actual or perceived conflicts of interest or unfair advantage or the potential to create an actual or perceived conflict of interest or unfair advantage for the Kicking Horse Canyon Project - Phase 4.

• Protocol for Consultants on Major Ministry Transportation Projects with regard to participation on an Owner’s Team while also participating on a Respondent/Proponent Team on another Project (130 KB PDF, 4 pages, April 2019)
  Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – A protocol for relationship review and management of conflicts of interest.

• Achieving Value for Money - Kicking Horse Canyon, Phase 2 Project (2.5 MB PDF, 21 Pages, June 2006)
  Ministry of Transportation and Partnerships BC - Analysis of value for money expected over the life of the partnership for the Kicking Horse Canyon project. Value for money is a broad term that captures both quantitative factors, such as costs, and qualitative factors, such as service quality and public interest.

• Alignment Comparison Report (32 KB  PDF, 6 Pages, May 9, 2002)
  The Ministry of Transportation, Region 2, Highway Engineering - Alignment comparison report for Park Bridge to Brake Check. This report assesses the Option 5B alignment, and the potential to improve the alignment wherever feasible.

• Functional Planning Report - Roth Creek to Brake Check (71 MB PDF, 96 Pages, April 2001)
  NDLea Consultants Ltd for the Ministry of Transportation - Investigates and evaluates alignment options to improve the Trans Canada Highway from approximately one kilometre east of Roth Creek to Brake Check from existing two lane condition, with auxiliary lanes, to a four lane facility.

• Functional Planning Report - Golden To Roth Creek (Kicking Horse Canyon) (47 MB PDF, 125 Pages, June 2000)
  SNC Lavalin Inc for the Ministry of Transportation - This report assesses the operations and safety of the older and more recently upgraded sections of the 4 km of the Trans Canada Highway through the Town of Golden, and makes recommendations on measures to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods through the town for the next 25 years. This report also addresses measures to improve the travel speeds, safety, capacity and reliability of the Canadian Pacific Railway and to minimize negative impacts on the natural and social environment in the 10 km section of the Trans Canada Highway between the east limit of Golden and Roth Creek.

  • Functional Planning Report - Appendix A - Drawings (March 2000)

  • Functional Planning Report - Appendix B to K (March 2000)

• Cache Creek to the Rockies - Existing Conditions Report (42 MB PDF, 162 Pages, Fall 1998)
  Ministry of Transportation - This report contains photos of the existing conditions of the Trans Canada Highway between Cache Creek and the west boundary of Yoho National Park.

  • Appendix 1: Highway Conditions (6 MB PDF, 83 Pages, 1998)
    Ministry of Transportation and Highways - This appendix details highway conditions between Cache Creek and Yoho National Park, including methodologies used to obtain road condition information.

  • Appendix 2: Geotechnical Conditions (4.5 MB PDF, 4500 Pages, 1998)
    Ministry of Transportation - This appendix details pavement conditions, natural hazards and geotechnical issues between Cache Creek and Yoho National Park, and summarizes the stability and road maintenance issues that may impair the serviceability of the existing highway.

  •  Appendix 3: Agriculture (1.5 MB PDF. 27 Pages, 1998)
    Ministry of Transportation - This appendix provides an overview of agriculture within the Trans Canada Highway corridor from Cache Creek to the Rockies, an explanation of methodology for mapping the agricultural sensitivity of the corridor to highway improvements, and a description of the results of the agricultural sensitivity assessment for each of the highway design sections.

  • Appendix 4: Archaology

  • Appendix 5: Fisheries (8 MB PD, 103 Pages, 1998)
    Ministry of Transportation - This appendix provides an overview of fisheries related sensitivities and habitat conditions along this portion of the Trans Canada Highway Corridor.

  • Appendix 6: Wildlife (8 MB PDF, 113 Pages, 1998)
    Ministry of Transportation - This appendix provides an overview of the existing wildlife sensitivities and habitat conditions along the Trans Canada Highway corridor.

Corridor Management

• Analysis Framework for the Trans Canada Highway Corridor Management Plan (Kamloops to Alberta Border) (7 MB PDF,  August 1997)
  Ministry of Transportation and HIghways, Planning Department, Thompson/Okanagan Region - This analysis framework assists in the development of the planning process and products related to the Trans Canada Highway, Kamloops to Alberta Border corridor management plan.

• Trans Canada Highway Corridor (Kamloops to Alberta Border) - Environmental Overview Assessment (22 MB PDF, 290 Pages, April 1998)
  Acres International Limited for the Ministry of Transportation - An environmental overview assessment of the Trans Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border, in order to: 1) to maintain safety and mobility; and 2) to protect the current investment in the highway infrastructure. This study provides information for the environmental components of this multiple accounts analysis.

• Comprehensive Highway Corridor Management Plan Kamloops to the Alberta Border - Summary Previous Planning Studies (14.5 MB PDF, 147 Pages, October 1996)
  Ministry of Transportation - A summary of previous transportation related studies which are pertinent to the Trans Canada highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border: Studies with specific application to the corridor from west to east along the highway. Studies with provincial scope and general application to the corridor. Land use plans.

• Community Impact and Development Study - Summary Report  (28 MB PDF, 315 Pages, May 1998)
  Urban Systems for the Ministry of Transportation - An examination of the role and function of the Trans Canada Highway within existing communities in the corridor. Describes existing relationships and examines possible future relationships, as the communities and traffic volumes continue to grow.

• 'External' Traffic on the Trans Canada Highway: Kamloops to the Alberta Border (17 MB, PDF - 135 Pages, April 1998)
  Actran Consultants in association with Robinson Consulting Associates and Olmstead Transport Associates for the Ministry of Transportation - An overview and analysis of “external” traffic on the 441-kilometre section of the Trans Canada Highway that extends from the Afton interchange, west of Kamloops, to the Alberta border. “External” traffic refers to all trips that begin or end at some point outside the corridor.

• Options Generation and Evaluation Study (49 MB PDF, 477 Pages, October 1998)
  Urban Systems in association with Ward Consulting and ADI Limited for the Ministry of Transportation - Interim stage of the Corridor Management Plan process that support the development of a provincial investment strategy. Performance measures for the corridor defines problem areas and provides a summary of the generation and evaluation of candidate improvements needed to protect the role and function of the corridor.

Traffic Volume Statistics

• Average Annual Daily Traffic and Summer Average Daily Traffic (P-37-1E / W) - 2.5 km East of Route 95, Golden (90 KB PDF, 3 Pages, February 2005)
  Ministry of Transportation - Average annual Traffic Counts from 1994 to 2003

• Kicking Horse Canyon Origin/Destination Survey Traffic Data (TransTech Data Services)

  • Commercial Vehicle Survey Data (141 KB PDF, 33 Pages, August 2004)

  • Passenger Vehicle Survey Data (196 KB PDF, 79 Pages, August 2004)

  • Golden Weigh Scale Design and Survey Results Volume 1 (66 KB PDF, 3 Pages, August 2004)

  • Golden Weigh Scale Design and Survey Results Volume 2 (1.4 MB PDF, 8 Pages, August 2004)

Accident Statistics

• Collision Information System - Highway Accident Statistics
  The Collision Information System (CIS) allows users to query and analyze data of traffic accidents on provincial jurisdiction highways. The data comes from the ICBC Traffic Accident System database.

• Highway Accident Summary. - West Glacier to East Glacier, Glacier to Golden and Golden to Yoho, from 1987 to 2002 (373 KB PDF, 156 Pages, October 2003)
  Ministry of Transportation - Raw accident data for Highway 1 segments 0980 W.Glacier-E.Glacier, 0985 Glacier-Golden, 0990 Golden-Yoho, 0995 Yoho-Alberta.

Environment

• Kicking Horse Canyon Project Phase 4 Environmental Synopsis Report (1.2 MB PDF, 32 pages, November 2016)
  Morley & Barlow for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – This report summarizes environmental studies and information required for preparation of an environmental assessment of the project, if required.

• Snowfall Projections for the Top of Ten Mile Weather Station (3.1 MB PDF, 19 pages, February 2011)
  Solterra Solutions for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – A projection of future snowfall due to increases in temperature and precipitation predicted to occur as a result of future climate change.

• Kicking Horse Revegetation Trials 2005 – 2007 (20.2 MB PDF, 80 pages, April 2008)
  Terrasol Environment for the Ministry of Transportation – An overview of field trials conducted over three seasons to assess the suitability of various plants species for establishment on disturbed roadsides in the Kicking Horse Canyon.

• Trans Canada Highway Corridor (Kamloops to Alberta Border) - Environmental Overview Assessment (27 MB PDF, 288 Pages, April 1998)
  Acres International Limited for the Ministry of Transportation - An environmental overview assessment of the Trans Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border: to maintain safety and mobility; to protect the current investment in the highway infrastructure. Provides information for the environmental components of this multiple accounts analysis.

Wildlife

• Survey of Early Post-Natal Habitats of Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats on the Kicking Horse Canyon Project: April 2008 – July 2008 (2.1 MB PDF, 48 pages, July 2009)
  William Harper for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – This report describes surveys of early post-natal habitats for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goat in the vicinity of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project.

• Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat Mapping: Kicking Horse Canyon Project, Phase Three East and West (2.6 MB PDF, 54 Pages, July 2006)
  Timberline Forest Inventory Consultants Ltd. - An ecosystem, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity inventory undertaken from Golden to Yoho Bridge and Brake Check to Yoho National Park including maps, spatial coverages, data bases and a report describing the ecological values of the project area.

• Inventory of Breeding Birds: Kicking Horse Canyon Project (Phase III) (681 KB PDF, 20 Pages, September 2005)
  MATRIX Resource Services - Inventory of breeding birds that was carried out in 2005.

• Wildlife Impacts Associated with the Proposed Upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway (Park Bridge to Brake Check): Preliminary Design Considerations (2 MB PDF, 33 Pages, December 2004)
  Osiris Wildlife Consulting Strategic Management Solutions - Overview of possible wildlife impacts and mitigation measures that could be applied to design, construction and operation of this section of Segment 990 on the Trans-Canada Highway.

  • Appendix 1 - Optional Alignments (11, 12, and E-6) for Phase II Kicking Horse Canyon Project (2.8 MB PDF, 4 Pages, December 2004)
    Preliminary design considerations - wildlife impacts associated with the proposed upgrade options to the Trans-Canada Highway (Park Bridge to Brake Check):

• Terrestrial Vegetation Mapping and Wildlife Habitat Assessment (11 MB PDF, 79 Pages, August 2004)
  Silvatech - Terrestrial vegetation and wildlife habitat assessment of the Park Bridge to Brake Check Project area in the Kicking Horse Valley.

• Mountain Goats in the Kicking Horse Canyon, Trans Canada Highway (10 MB PDF, 42 Pages, September 2000)
  Timberland Consultants Ltd for the Ministry of Transportation - Potential impacts to mountain goat use of and access to the bluffs adjacent to the two bridges; and recommendations for potential mitigation required to bridge and approach design and construction to minimize impacts.

• Trans Canada Highway Wildlife Habitat Mapping Glacier National Park to Yoho National Park - Section 2: Donald to Roth Creek (3 MB PDF, 17 Pages, March 2000)
  Manning, Cooper and Associates for the Ministry of Transportation - Models of habitat mapping for deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, bear and mountain goat between Donald and Roth Creek.

  • Appendix A: Map Index and Key (94 KB PDF, 2 Pages, March 2000)

  • Bear Habitat (45 MB PDF, 14 Pages, March 2000)

  • Bighorn Sheep Habitat (19 MB PDF, 7 Pages, March 2000)

  • Deer Habitat (47 MB PDF, 14 Pages, March 2000)

  • Elk Habitat (44 MB PDF, 14 Pages, March 2000)

  • Moose Habitat (43 MB PDF, 14 Pages, March 2000)

  • Mountain Goat Habitat (1.3 MB PDF, 18 Pages, May 1, 1999)

• Mitigation of Impacts to Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat for Advanced Construction Candidate Package 1 (1.3 MB PDF, 18 Pages, May 1, 1999)
  Manning, Cooper and Associates for the Ministry of Transportation - Key wildlife issues and  recommendations to mitigate impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat between Donald and Roth Creek, related to an advance construction candidate.

• Highway Effects on Gray Wolves within the Golden Canyon, British Columbia and Wolf Survival in the Central Rocky Mountains (16 MB PDF, 45 Pages, July 1998)
  GEOMAR Consulting Limited, Central Rockies Wolf Project for the Ministry of Transportation - The effect of the Trans Canada Highway on gray wolves in the Kicking Horse Canyon, and on wolf survival in the central rocky mountains.

• Wolverine Winter Travel Routes and Response to Transportation Corridors in Kicking Horse Pass between Yoho and Banff National Parks (4 MB PDF, 46 Pages, March 1998)
  Matt Austin, B.Sc. - Impacts of transportation corridors, particularly the Trans Canada Highway, on wolverine movements in the area.

• Wildlife Tracking Project: Golden to West Boundary of Yoho National Park - Final Report (49 MB PDF, 91 Pages, October 1997)
  LGL Limited - Environmental Research Associates for the Ministry of Transportation - Baseline information on patterns of habitat use and overall population trends for the larger species of wildlife (ie., ungulates and carnivores) between Golden and the west boundary of Yoho National Park; Identifies wildlife migration and movement corridors within the existing highway corridor and along the south side of the Kicking Horse Valley. Assessment and recommendation of impact avoidance and mitigation that are likely to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and that may reduce impacts of the highway development on local populations of wildlife.

• Wildlife Habitat Mapping (58 MB PDF, 59 Pages, November 1994)
  Harvey Research Ltd. For the Ministry of Transportation - Wildlife populations between Golden and Yoho National Park, including a map of habitat types based on vegetation cover and physical attributes of the terrain. The report also contains a of a proposed site for a weigh station on the Trans Canada Highway between Moberly Branch Road and the Blaeberry River.

Fish

• Fish Collection Reports and Photographs: 1999 Field Program
  Coast River Environmental Services Ltd. For the Ministry of Transportation

  • Roth Creek to Yoho National Park (30 MB PDF, 43 Pages, February 2000)

  • Donald to Roth Creek F (62 MB PDF, 79 Pages, February 2000)

  • Revelstoke to Yoho National Park (39 MB PDF, 132 Pages, October 1999)