Colorado innovates the wildlife crossing system to prevent crushing

As Colorado leaders recently traveled a half -route to build a huge wild fauna crossing over the Interstate 25, state police warned drivers of the dangers of collapsing in animals after two recent deaths.

US Senator Michael Bennet (D) recently participated with government officials to see what is invoiced as the world’s largest intersection of wildlife built over a large highway.

Located in Douglas County, the Ministry of Transport of Colorado manages the project called I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass. The goal is to reduce the collisions of wild animals with such a big game as ELK, Pronghorn and Mule Deer by creating a six-lane corridor. The location is where large movements of large toy animals appear.

Bennet commented on July 25 in a publication of social media on his visit to the Overpass Wildlife Greenland: “Colorado is still a role model for the rest of the western United States. By building the highest wilderness in the US in the US, we protect the wildlife.”

Overpass was designed with wide sloping entrances that gradually climb over the highway to attract the big game. ELK prefers to travel to wide open areas and avoid tunnels and underground crossings.

The $ 15 million supernatural crossing is expected to reduce wildlife/vehicles by 90% to I-25.

After the end of December, the structure will complement an existing I -5s of the underground crossings and fences and will connect 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of the transnational.

Colorado creates an innovative 18 -mile wildlife intersection system

The 200-foot, 209-foot long route will be linked to the current 18-mile wildlife system called I -5 South Gap Project. This area is located between Denver and Colorado Springs.

Before Colorado created the wildlife mitigation system, the drivers along this extent of the I-25s crashed into an average of a wild animal a day trying to pass through the highway corridor.

Every day, about 87,000 motorists lead to this 18-mile section of the I-25 just south of the Denver metropolitan region.

With plenty of animals and humans living between its mountainous areas, Colorado sees about 4,000 wildlife-overwhelming crushes annually causing damage of $ 80 million. These accidents also lead to injuries and deaths in humans and wildlife.

The wildlife killed includes mousse, deer, black bears, lions, mountain lions, raccoons, hawks, coyote, purple, red foxes, bobcats, owls, rabbits, Canadian goats.

Although the new transcendence is mainly intended for larger animals, it will probably be used by another wildlife, as was the case with the underground crossings of Colorado’s wildlife.

A variety of animals has seen in cameras using underground crossings, including wild turkey.

Colorado State Patrol warns motorists for wildlife clashes

Colorado’s State Patrol has launched a summer public awareness campaign over wild-nature crashes to prevent conflicts.

Already this year until July 17, state soldiers responded to 1,600 animals involved in animals causing damage to 95% of accidents. In these clashes, 63 people suffered injuries and two died.

Shortly before midnight on July 11, a driver collided with a mousse before three other vehicles hit the animal. One of the drivers lost control of the vehicle and died. Then, on July 20, just before 6am, a motorist was crammed to avoid crushing a deer and getting off the road. The Eklis Vehicle and the driver was fatally injured.

“Drivers in mountain communities know how to wait for the wild, but these animals can appear in more unexpected sites everywhere in our state,” Col said. Matthew Packard, head of state patrol, statement.

The Patrol state of Colorado has determined the third most common factor in all vehicles last year’s crashes. In 2024, the soldiers investigated 3,573 of these wildlife crashes. Statistics showed that 96% of these crashes last year led to damaged vehicles, while the majority of the injured wildlife died.

“According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Information Association, the insurance industry pays about $ 1.1 billion a year to claims for all wildlife conflicts at national level. The average loss costs from these conflicts is estimated at more than $ 3,000,” says Colorado State Patrol.

Tips for Drivers to Avoid Wild Animal Conflicts

Colorado soldiers have taken steps that drivers can take to mitigate accidents with wildlife. Suggest motorists:

• Scanning roads (or shoulders) for movements and headlights that shine in the eyes of nearby animals.
• Use bright lights at night when you secure and flash lights on the upcoming cars as warnings if you see the wildlife along the road.
• Do not hit the Wildlife on/near the road.
• Braking if possible if an animal is in front of your vehicle. Then use your danger lights until the animal is removed from the road.
• If you can’t stop safely, don’t turn.
• Do not exceed speed limit because speed increases damage and injury to a crash.

When you face wildlife while driving on a road, the police say the most important advice is to maintain control of your vehicle.