Utah wildlife overpass reduces collisions 90 percent, protecting animals and people
A $5 million wildlife crossing over Highway 80 in Utah’s Parleys Canyon has reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions 90 percent on a stretch of road that saw over 100 collisions in a two-year period.
Animals that use the overpass include mule deer, moose, elk, bear, porcupine, fox, marmot, mountain lion, bobcat, mice, squirrels and chipmunks.
“We’re amazed. We thought it would take a few years for the animals to recognize it was there,” John Gleason with Utah Department of Transportation told Fox 13. “When you … recognize that each one of those animals could potentially cause a crash on our roads, it’s keeping people safe, it’s keeping animals safe.”
Since this project was completed, six more wildlife crossings have been constructed on Utah’s highways. The state has over 60 wildlife underpasses and overpasses.
Collaborators:
Summit County
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Utah Department of Transportation
It’s hard not to like this. But $5 million is a lot of money!