The U.S. Department of Transportation launched a five-year, $350 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program that will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions while improving habitat connectivity.
According to an April 4 DOT news release, the program, which is the first of its kind, will bring grants to states and communities to build wildlife crossings above or under busy roads. It will also add warning signs, use mapping and tracking tools and more aspects to protect wildlife.
“Every year, Americans are injured and killed in crashes involving cars and wildlife," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. "By launching the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, we are taking an important step to prevent deadly crashes in communities across the country and make America's roadways safer for everyone who uses them.”
The program is in response to the findings that more than a million collisions involving wildlife and vehicles happen in the U.S. each year, the release reported. This results in about 200 deaths and many injuries, as well.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said there are proven practices put together to prevent accidents involving vehicles and wildlife, according to the release. This investment will help take “common sense steps” in reducing collisions and also making roads safer for rural and urban communities.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, communities that may not previously have had access to funding for these critical projects can finally make roads safer while protecting wildlife and their movement corridors,” Bhatt said in the release.
Eligible applicants include state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and federal land agencies that propose projects to reduce these types of collisions involving wildlife and vehicles, the release reported. Agencies that act to improve habitat connectivity are also eligible.
The DOT is making $350 million available over the next five years, according to the release. This includes $111 million in grants through the first round of funding.
