U.S. Government Commits $110 Million for Wildlife Crossings to Prevent Crashes
A collision between a large animal and a multi-ton vehicle can result in horrific tragedy all around for humans and wildlife. The U.S. Department of Transportation says there are upwards of a million or more wildlife-vehicle collisions in the U.S. every year, killing roughly 200 humans and causing 26,000 injuries to drivers and passengers.
The USDOT announced a $110 million commitment in grants on Tuesday to create 19 wildlife crossings in 17 states. These projects will include new fencing, the construction of wildlife crossings over and below busy roadways, and tracking and mapping tools to help anticipate herd and individual animal movement.
One of the largest monetary sums ($24.4 million) is earmarked to the state of Wyoming, where the grant will cover an overpass, several underpasses, and high-barrier wildlife fencing in rural southwest Wyoming. Colorado's Department of Transportation will receive $22 million specifically to build a dedicated overpass on Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs.
There are several mentions of protecting elk from vehicles and vice versa, as an elk averages between 500 and 700 pounds. That's much larger than a mule deer, another species mentioned in the brief.
Other wildlife crossings outside of this grant set include a large overpass across Highway 101 in the Santa Monica Mountains of California and a red crab highway on Christmas Island in Australia hosting a mind-boggling number of mating crustaceans.
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