Colorado Wildlife Crossing Brings Safer Journeys for Animals and Drivers
Ten months after opening above Interstate 25 near Larkspur, Colorado, North America’s largest wildlife overpass is delivering welcome results: collisions between vehicles and wildlife have fallen by 91%, slightly surpassing officials’ 90% reduction estimate.
The crossing gives bears, elk, moose and other animals a route over six lanes of traffic. Its bridge spans 200 feet in width and 209 feet in length, while five nearby underpasses offer smaller or more cautious creatures another way across. Fencing helps guide wildlife toward these safer paths.
“We are thrilled,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Bridget O’Rourke told the Colorado Sun. The benefits extend beyond large animals: pronghorn, rabbits and northern leopard frogs are among those using the crossings. A pronghorn recorded on the overpass was the first documented crossing there in 30 years.
Drivers have reason to celebrate, too. Wildlife-related crashes once averaged about one a day along the Larkspur-to-Monument corridor, and traffic delays have since fallen by 9%.
With the project showing such promising results, Colorado is exploring six more locations for wildlife crossings. Among the possibilities are routes near Vail Pass, the New Mexico and Wyoming borders, Cortez and Craig—and a crossing designed specifically for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
