Colorado has just upped the ante in the realm of wildlife conservation with the completion of the I-25 Greenland wildlife overpass, a colossal structure that allows animals to traverse six lanes of traffic without risking a run-in with vehicles. According to the Colorado Governor's Office, this bridge is a significant stride in protecting wildlife and enhancing motorist safety. The overpass, which seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape with its cover of dirt and vegetation, has earned the title of North America’s largest of its kind.
Spanning an impressive 200 feet in width and stretching 209 feet in length, the wildlife overpass dwarfs other such structures, sprawling nearly an acre of reprieve for local fauna. The construction of this overpass, which was unveiled earlier this month, managed to stick to the budget and beat the clock, culminating ahead of schedule. It serves as a natural bridge for a medley of creatures, including elk, pronghorn, and even mountain lions, and is expected to substantially cut down on wildlife-vehicle crashes.
The location of the overpass was carefully selected to bridge a 3.7-mile gap between other wildlife crossings, completing the system of underpasses and fencing that comprises the I-25 South Gap project. CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew highlighted the structure's importance, explaining to the Colorado Governor's Office that this addition "is an essential component of the wildlife crossing system in this area, which is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90%."
This exemplar of multi-agency collaboration, including the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and several more local entities, was made feasible through a Federal grant under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Douglas County Commissioner George Teal expressed local pride in being "responsible stewards of our resources," and lauded the effort for bolstering public safety and transportation. CPW Area Wildlife Manager Matt Martinez shared in the enthusiasm, noting to the Colorado Governor's Office, "We look forward to deer, elk, bears, mountain lions, and many other species safely crossing I-25, once a major barrier to migration and wildlife movements."
