The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced yesterday that $110 million in grants for 19 wildlife crossing projects in 17 states, including four Indian Tribes. The funding comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
According to the press release, it is estimated that every year there are over one million wildlife vehicle collisions in the U.S.
“Every year, too many Americans are injured or killed in crashes involving cars and wildlife, especially in rural areas – but President Biden is tackling this challenge through these first-ever roadway safety grants,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The projects we’re funding today in 17 states will reduce collisions between drivers and wildlife and save American lives.”
“We are pleased to announce the first round of grants under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to projects that will significantly reduce the number of collisions between motorists and wildlife,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “These roadway safety investments will ensure that motorists and wildlife get to their destinations safely and are a win-win for safety and the environment.”
Some of the projects include:
- $24 million for Interstate-17 Munds Park to Kelly Canyon Wildlife Overpass Project in Arizona.
- $24.4 million to build an overpass, several underpasses, and high-barrier wildlife fencing along 30 miles of US 189 in southwest Wyoming.
- $8.5 million will go to the Stillaguamish Tribe in Washington State to design and construct a wildlife overpass with fencing on rural State Route 20 in Skagit County.
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Source: USDOT
