Construction set to begin on wildlife crossing over I-17 south of Flagstaff
Wildlife roaming south of Flagstaff will soon have access to safe passage across Interstate 17 as state transportation officials prepare to begin construction of a wildlife crossing over the busy freeway. The project represents an effort to reconnect habitats for animals like deer and elk, while reducing the risk of driver-wildlife collisions.
The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, will start construction on the 100-ft wide wildlife bridge 12 miles south of Flagstaff in April.
The crossing will be covered in native vegetation and designed with a variety of animals in mind, including elk, deer, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, mountain lions and smaller animals, which can be threatened by habitat fragmentation and collisions caused by highway traffic.
The $15.8 million project also includes 8-foot-tall fencing running for more than 8 miles along the highway.
The project area accounted for 58% of crashes involving wildlife between Stoneman Lake Road and Flagstaff between 2018 and 2022, according to an ADOT news release. Along the 32-mile stretch, about 75% of all wildlife collisions involve elk, which can weigh over 1,000 pounds.
Currently, the only safe passage available for elk and deer seeking to cross is a single culvert running underneath the highway.
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The overpass is made possible through funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program awarded in 2023. The $24 million grant to Arizona was among 19 projects awarded nationally by the federal program in its first round of $110 million funding.
Nationally, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions are estimated to impact motorists each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Those involving large animals result in approximately 200 fatalities and 2,600 injuries.
'I am grateful to the Federal Highway Administration for supporting Arizona's commitment to protecting its residents, visitors and wildlife,' said Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2023. 'Many drivers use I-17 as a gateway to some of Arizona's most popular treasures, including the Grand Canyon. While helping keep those travelers safe, this project will support elk, deer and other wildlife that make Arizona so special.'
These collisions also cost the public more than $10 billion annually in loss of income, medical expenses, property damage and other costs, according to the federal agency.
Drivers should expect travel times to change as construction progresses on the project.
Crews will pave temporary crossovers in the area to allow traffic to be shifted to one side of the highway, as needed, while the overpass is being built.
At times when the highway is narrowed to one lane in each direction, drivers should allow for extra travel time on I-17.
The project is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026.
John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ADOT to start constructing wildlife crossing over I-17 near Flagstaff
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