MOTI Highway No. 1 Selkirk Mountain 4 Laning

Selkirk, British Columbia

EllisDon and PME’s Highway No. 1 Selkirk Mountain 4 Laning Project in the British Columbia Rockies involved widening Highway No. 1, constructing wildlife underpasses and fencing, and rehabilitating culverts. Anticipating increased glacial melt and runoff from climate change, the team proactively integrated climate-adaptive measures to protect the site and surrounding ecosystems. 

Under the guidance of PME’s Environmental Team, sensitive areas were safeguarded with silt fencing, sediment bags, and straw wattles, while lined drainage channels and reinforced sediment basins managed meltwater and runoff. Water from key habitats was carefully pumped through existing culverts to preserve fish habitat and minimize turbidity, supported by full-time monitoring from a Registered Professional Biologist. 

Engineered diversion channels, biodegradable erosion control blankets, and hydroseeding stabilized exposed slopes, with regular inspections ensuring adaptive maintenance during peak melt periods. These measures effectively contained erosion, protected water quality, and preserved wildlife habitats—demonstrating EllisDon and PME’s leadership in environmental stewardship and climate-resilient construction.