Wildlife Crossings to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

by Dee Baginski

While highways make traveling easier for humans, they have the opposite effect on animals. Highways can create barriers that separate animals from the resources that they need for survival. Oftentimes they cross our roads and highways to get where they need to go, but sometimes they don’t make it to the other side. It is a safety risk for both humans and animals alike.

U.S. Highway 93 is notorious for its wildlife-vehicle collisions. In 2018 alone, eight grizzly bears were hit by cars. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are receiving an $8.6 million grant through the Federal Highway Administration to create a wildlife overpass. A wildlife overpass or crossing are bridges or tunnels that are specifically designed for animals to use to reduce the environmental impact of highway use. There are currently 41 wildlife crossings along Highway 93 between Evaro and Polson. The overpass will hopefully mitigate vehicle-wildlife conflict, specifically near the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area. It is important to be vigilant and drive carefully, especially at night, to avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Black Bear using wildlife crossing – Photo courtesy CSKT

For more information, visit these websites:

Resources — Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage (mtsafewildlifepassage.org)

US 93 – Wildlife Crossing Structures in Use | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) (mt.gov)

CSKT Receive Grant to Construct Wildlife Overpass Spanning U.S. Highway 93 – Flathead Beacon