Colorado wildlife overpass cuts animal-vehicle collisions by 91%

Colorado: A bridge built exclusively for wildlife has been credited with a 91% reduction in animals being hit by vehicles on a busy US freeway – just 10 months after opening.

The Greenland wildlife overpass in Colorado, which opened last December, has already been hailed a “huge success,” with elk, pronghorn and bears among the animals captured on camera using it to cross Interstate 25.

The $15 million (£11.3 million) bridge – North America’s largest wildlife crossing – opened along with five underpasses on a stretch of freeway that previously saw frequent collisions between vehicles and animals.

Not anymore. The Colorado Department of Transportation told Positive News this week that since the overpass opened, it has provided safe passage for scores of migrating animals, reducing collisions by 91%.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see wildlife using the Greenland wildlife overpass less than a year after construction was completed,” said Jessica Myklebust, regional transportation director. “This project demonstrates how transportation infrastructure can improve safety for both motorists and wildlife.”