These crossings serve as safe passages for wildlife, reducing the risk of fatal accidents on busy highways.
They are designed to be cost-effective and natural looking, with fencing installed to guide wildlife to these safe crossings. Both the United States and Canada have increased the construction of these types of crossings in the last 30 years. Local initiatives, such as the Colorado corridors project, have documented the successful utilization of these bridges through motion capture cameras, noting a reduction of up to 90 percent in vehicle animal collisions in some areas.
Underpasses are also gaining popularity, with daily usage observed among smaller wildlife species. Large animals, including elephants, have benefited from such structures in Africa, helping to reunite fragmented herds. In Washington, aquatic corridors are restoring natural water flows and reconnecting species like trout to their habitats.
This innovative approach to reducing road fatalities, combining modernization and respect for animal life, appears to be a win-win situation for all.
