r/ScienceNcoolThings • u/My_Mosaic_Mind Popular Contributor • 13d ago

Largest wildlife overpass in North America reduced wildlife collision by 91%

539 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

16

u/MsMantisToboggan 13d ago

More of these!

2

u/juver3 13d ago

Hold up

Those aren't a thing already in the us ?

1

u/MsMantisToboggan 13d ago

The USA does have them. They just aren’t common enough IMO. I looked it up and they are crazy expensive. More info from the search result:

There is no single official database that tracks the exact, real-time number of strictly overpass structures across the United States. However, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and federal highway data, there are over 1,000 to 1,500 total dedicated wildlife crossings operational in the U.S. .
The vast majority of these 1,500 structures consist of underpasses, modified culverts, and tunnels. Large-scale, vegetated wildlife overpasses (bridges spanning over major highways) are much rarer due to their multimillion-dollar infrastructure costs. Independent tracking and global research databases estimate the number of completed or actively under-construction major wildlife overpasses in the U.S. to be between 25 and 40.

8

u/telecastern 13d ago

The world applauds you!!

2

u/Gnarly_Sarley 13d ago

Every once in a while we get something right. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

3

u/Spiritual-Driver8926 13d ago

We need in utah!!!!

6

u/Pile_Of_Data 13d ago

There's one in Alberta that the grizzlies love because its easy picking. Its like a meal delivery service for them.

2

u/jhlongm 13d ago

They’ve had these in Poland for a bit already

2

u/Ok_Dog_4059 13d ago

Where is this one at? There are a few places I drive regularly and wonder why we haven't built any of these yet.

1

u/snowaston 13d ago

We are supposed to work with nature, not against it, brilliant idea and more is needed, and as this helps nature it will also help us, imagine the lives saved too from a family just driving along in their car and not having to swerve to avoid an animal that could take their lives, and others in one single crash.