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© Reuters. SUBMIT PHOTO: A deer crosses a dirt roadway in New Albion, New York, U.S. July 20, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
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By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Exciting news from the U.S. Transportation Department – They’re granting $110 million to fund 19 projects in 17 states dedicated to reducing vehicle crashes with wildlife and helping animals cross roads safely.
Did you know that there are more than 1 million wildlife vehicle accidents in the United States each year, costing more than $8 billion? These accidents with large animals like deer lead to about 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries to motorists and passengers annually.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt called this funding “targeted at an extremely real safety issue.”
One of the exciting projects is in Arizona, which aims to use GPS data to track the movements of elk. Bhatt added, “We can get smart about how we use technology to reduce these crashes.”
The awarded funds are the first under a five-year $350 million program funded by the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure law. Applications seeking $550 million in funding were received.
Arizona, for example, is receiving $24 million to construct almost 17 miles of new wildlife fencing, connecting existing culverts, escape ramps, and double livestock guards along busy Interstate-17 while enhancing habitat connectivity for elk and mule deer.
Wyoming will receive $24.4 million to build an overpass, multiple underpasses, and wildlife fencing along 30 miles of US 189. The state reported that crashes involving wildlife represented almost 20% of all traffic accidents there between 2017 and 2021.
Colorado is also a recipient, winning $22 million to build an overpass on I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, the state’s two largest cities.
And the exciting news keeps coming, as Vermont is getting $1.6 million to build a wildlife underpass crossing in the Green Mountains to provide safe crossing for large animals such as black bears and moose.
With the surge in U.S. traffic deaths during the pandemic, this funding and these projects are incredibly important in ensuring road safety for both humans and wildlife! Don’t miss out on the full article for more details.
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