The structures are now in place so now researchers are determining the effectiveness of wildlife overpasses and underpasses along busy State Highway 9 in northcentral Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other partners provided funding for that research.
Crews constructed two overpasses, five underpasses, more than 20 miles of wildlife fencing as well as more than 60 escape ramps in case elk, deer, moose, bears or other wildlife get trapped on the highway. The goal is to allow wildlife to cross the highway while reducing collisions between drivers and wildlife alike.
Statistics indicate there were more than 600 wildlife collisions along just an 11-mile stretch of the highway from 1997 to 2016. Those incidents killed 16 people and injured 200 more.
Go here to view a video of the initial construction.
(Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)