Wildlife Crossings

Strategies of animal passages funneling wildlife towards habitat corridors

Desire Rivera | LARCH 414 | Fall 2022

Strategy

Wildlife crossings are strategies to maintain functioning habitats before, during and after the construction of a highway project. Successful wildlife crossings not only benefit migrating wildlife, but also reduce highway fatalities by minimizing the wildlife/driver interface. Different animals move in different ways and require different types of crossings—either over or under the highway. The types and locations of wildlife crossings required for reptiles, and small and large mammals is based on observed patterns and habits. In addition, fencing along the edge of the highway should provide an “escape” route to allow larger mammals that get trapped within the highway right-of-way to return safely to the other side. In agricultural areas, crossings to allow for the movement of livestock between fields bisected by a highway project should be considered—helping minimize the roadway’s impact on agricultural operations.