Key Takeaways:
- The nation’s largest wildlife overpass has been completed across Interstate 25 in Douglas County, Colorado.
- The 200-foot-wide Greenland Wildlife Overpass provides a safe crossing for various animals, including elk and pronghorn, and connects nearly 40,000 acres of habitat.
- The overpass is the final piece of a wildlife crossing system that covers 18 miles and includes underpasses and fencing.
- The project was primarily funded by a federal grant, along with state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations, and cost $15 million.
- The wildlife crossing system is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90 percent.
Introduction to the Wildlife Overpass
The construction of the nation’s largest wildlife overpass is now complete, stretching across Interstate 25 in Douglas County between Larkspur and Monument. This impressive structure, known as the Greenland Wildlife Overpass, is designed to provide a safe crossing for a variety of animals, including elk and pronghorn. The overpass is 200 feet wide and connects nearly 40,000 acres of habitat on both sides of the six-lane interstate highway. According to Kara Van Hoose with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the overpass allows wildlife to "go on a little bit of an adventure that they weren’t able to before."
Design and Features of the Overpass
The Greenland Wildlife Overpass is designed with the needs of wildlife in mind. An open line of sight across the overpass helps animals navigate it, as they are unable to read signs or understand human-made structures. As Van Hoose noted, "Unfortunately, wildlife can’t read, so it’s not like we could put signs up saying, this is safe here, go here." The overpass is designed to be intuitive and easy for animals to use, allowing them to safely cross the highway without the risk of being struck by a vehicle.
The Wildlife Crossing System
The Greenland Wildlife Overpass is the final piece of a wildlife crossing system that covers approximately 18 miles and includes underpasses and fencing. This system has been in progress for nearly a decade and is designed to reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle crashes in the area. According to CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, "The I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass is critical to the safety of both wildlife and motorists. The overpass is an essential component of the wildlife crossing system in this area, which is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90 percent." This significant reduction in crashes will not only save the lives of animals but also reduce the risk of injury or death to motorists.
Funding and Construction
The $15 million project to build the Greenland Wildlife Overpass was primarily funded by a federal grant, along with state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations. Construction on the overpass began earlier this year and has now been completed. The project is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of various organizations and agencies working together to protect wildlife and promote safety on the nation’s highways.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The completion of the Greenland Wildlife Overpass is a significant milestone in the effort to protect wildlife and promote safety on the nation’s highways. This innovative structure and the larger wildlife crossing system it is a part of will have a lasting impact on the environment and the community. As the nation’s largest wildlife overpass, it sets a precedent for future projects and demonstrates the importance of considering the needs of wildlife in transportation planning. The expected reduction in wildlife-vehicle crashes will have a significant impact on the safety of both animals and motorists, and the project serves as a model for similar initiatives across the country.