As part of a larger push to increase safety on roadways, Massachusetts is receiving $1.7 million to help build a new bridge that will allow animals to cross over the Massachusetts Turnpike.
The money will be used to fund pre-construction design and permitting for the bridge along the Appalachian Trail. This includes replacing an existing bridge crossing near Becket in an area with “a high number of vehicle collisions with deer,” records state.
“Too many Americans are injured or killed each year in crashes involving cars and wildlife, especially in rural areas— which is why our Department created the first-ever program dedicated to crossings that make roads and highways safer for both humans and wildlife,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the projects moving forward in 16 states will reduce collisions between drivers and wildlife, create places for wildlife to safely move over and under highways, and help preserve American life and property.”
There are more than one million crashes involving wildlife each year in the U.S. And crashes with large animals result in about 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries each year. These collisions also cost the public more than $10 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Wildlife crossing structures with fencing have been shown to reduce motorist collisions involving wildlife by up to 97%, according to a study.
Overall, there were $125 million in grants given for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states.
The Massachusetts project will offer separate areas for wildlife and pedestrians to cross. It will include fencing to help funnel wildlife to the crossings.
