Collisions Fall After Wildlife Overpass: I-25 crossings cut crashes by up to 91%; Colorado plans six more

For wildlife, a busy highway can be more than an obstacle. It can separate feeding grounds, disrupt seasonal migrations and turn an ordinary journey into a deadly gamble. In Colorado, a new network of wildlife crossings is helping change that equation, with officials reporting a sharp decline in collisions along a heavily travelled stretch of Interstate 25. Reporting by Smithsonian Magazine, Colorado Politics and The Colorado Sun has highlighted the results of the state’s wildlife mitigation programme, which combines fencing, underpasses and a recently completed overpass near Monument. The findings suggest that infrastructure designed around animal movement can make roads safer for wildlife while reducing risks for motorists.A highway that divided wildlife habitatInterstate 25 is one of Colorado’s major transport routes, connecting communities along the state’s Front Range. The stretch between Castle Rock and Monument carries more than 100,000 vehicles a day and cuts through extensive wildlife habitat, creating a dangerous barrier for animals that need to move between seasonal ranges. Elk, mule deer and pronghorn travel between lower elevations in winter and mountain habitats in su...