Wildlife Crossings

[KCasiglio]

Bridges and Tunnels in Colorado Are Helping Animals Commute

The state has emerged as a leader in building wildlife crossings, which can save animals, money and human lives.

www.nytimes.com

Wildlife crossings are growing in popularity across the country, and in recent years, Colorado has emerged as a leader. Since 2015, it has built 28 new large game crossing structures, according to the state Transportation Department.

The state is rich in wildlife, and many of its species travel from higher elevations in the summer to lower ones in the winter, oftentimes crossing highways at great peril. In 2022, the General Assembly passed a law creating a cash fund for the department to use for animal crossings. Colorado has also evaluated its highways to create a priority list for future projects.

Wildlife crossings, when combined with long stretches of fencing to funnel animals to the right location, have been found to reduce vehicle collisions with large animals by more than 80 percent.

They are expensive, but research has shown they can save money when installed on stretches of highway with at least an average of three collisions between motorists and deer per mile per year. For collisions with elk and moose, which are bigger and therefore cause more damage to vehicles and people, that threshold goes down to less than one collision per mile per year.

Outside of the inner core, bear populations have been making a remarkable come back. Deer can be found even in parts of Cambridge and Boston. Smaller but still sizable wildlife such as turkeys, rabbits, skunks, opossums, racoons, etc are ubiquitous even in the most urban areas. Are there any good examples of designed wildlife crossings in the region? Any areas that could potentially benefit from some?

When I worked in Southeastern CT we had developed a prioritized location list, though we never ended up pursing the federal grant (nor have they since afaik). I know this is not something the MPO has looked at, not sure if any MassDOT or MAPC resources exist.

 

[stick n move]

Heres a few projects in mass.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/connecting-landscape-through-resilient-infrastructure

Article about mass culverts

How Does the Bobcat Cross the Pike?

TNC in Massachusetts is leading an effort to assess and map culverts under Interstate 90. Those that can serve as corridors for wildlife to pass under the road help connect habitats, reduce animal-vehicle collisions and prevent population isolation.

www.nature.org

Becket MA wildlife crossing funds awarded

MassDOT to receive $1.7 million to build wildlife bridge over Mass. Pike

MassDOT is receiving $1.7 million to build a bridge that will allow animals to cross over the Mass. Pike in Becket.

www.wwlp.com

 

[ceo]

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail bridge over Rte. 2 in Concord included a wildlife crossing under 2 as part of the project.

 

[reno]

The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail bridge over Rte. 2 in Concord included a wildlife crossing under 2 as part of the project.

Where is that? The only one I have seen is the one installed as part of the Crosby's Corner project.

 

[BostonBoy]

The Southeast Rail Project has "Turtle Crossings" in critical areas. They are just longer than normal ties with the ballast removed between them.

 

[bakgwailo]

Bridges and Tunnels in Colorado Are Helping Animals Commute

The state has emerged as a leader in building wildlife crossings, which can save animals, money and human lives.

www.nytimes.com

Outside of the inner core, bear populations have been making a remarkable come back. Deer can be found even in parts of Cambridge and Boston. Smaller but still sizable wildlife such as turkeys, rabbits, skunks, opossums, racoons, etc are ubiquitous even in the most urban areas. Are there any good examples of designed wildlife crossings in the region? Any areas that could potentially benefit from some?

When I worked in Southeastern CT we had developed a prioritized location list, though we never ended up pursing the federal grant (nor have they since afaik). I know this is not something the MPO has looked at, not sure if any MassDOT or MAPC resources exist.

I can arrest I've had deer in my yard in Dot multiple times over the years, along with tons of rabbits, coyotes, trash pandas, skunks, etc. no turkeys, but ton of those in the streets in Dot, Rozzie, Hyde Park, Milton, etc. There was just a beaver lost in lower mills a few weeks ago.

 

[bigeman312]

I saw two deer in the Arboretum at dusk once. It was a remarkable sight.

 

[ceo]

Where is that? The only one I have seen is the one installed as part of the Crosby's Corner project.

Just east of the bridge; it's a small tunnel. I remember seeing it on the plans.