The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has received $16.8 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to improve both wildlife and road safety. The grant will fund the construction of 61 wildlife crossings and the installation of 68 miles of fencing along U.S. Highway 93, with an emphasis on protecting the Mojave desert tortoise, a species at risk of extinction.
The proposed Coyote Springs Wildlife Crossings Project will cover 34 miles of U.S. 93, near Coyote Springs in Clark and Lincoln Counties, an area currently unfenced and prone to vehicle-wildlife collisions. The project is expected to benefit multiple species, with a particular focus on the endangered Mojave desert tortoise. According to a press release from NDOT, the area also supports a range of desert wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, and various small mammals.
The project is expected to reduce the number of animals killed on the highway and improve motorist safety. Fencing and underpasses will help prevent animals from entering the road, reducing the risk of animal-related accidents. These measures are also anticipated to support the stability of the tortoise population by enabling safer movement across fragmented habitats, reducing inbreeding risks, and aiding climate adaptability.
With funding pooled from various sources, including Clark and Lincoln Counties' Section 10 Mitigation Fees, the Bureau of Land Management, and private stakeholders such as Coyote Springs Investment, LLC., the scale and collaborative nature of the project is evident. As noted in the NDOT announcement, this initiative reflects the collaboration between government and private entities to promote community and environmental well-being.
Before construction can begin, NDOT must complete a thorough National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study, followed by detailed construction planning. Even with the final grant approved, this phase typically takes several years, and the start date for construction has yet to be determined. The Mojave desert tortoise, along with other species in the area, will be affected by the outcome of the project, which remains subject to the necessary regulatory processes.
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