Evaluation of Wildlife Crossing Structures on US 93 in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley
Patricia Cramer, Robert Hamlin - 2017
Organization: Montana Department of Transportation
Location: Montana
Abstract:
Collisions between wild
animals and automobiles are
a problem for some wildlife
populations and a safety issue
for motorists in Montana and
across North America. Wildlife
crossing structures with wildlife
exclusion fencing is the most
effective method to reduce
wildlife-vehicle collisions
(WVC) and allow animals to
safely move across roads.
The Montana Department of
Transportation (MDT) installed
19 wildlife crossing structures
for large animals within a
suburban-wildland setting
along US 93 between Florence
and Hamilton from 2004 to
2012. The purpose of this
research was to evaluate the
effectiveness of these wildlife
crossing structures for whitetailed
deer.
Tags:
Document Type: pre-mitigation monitoring guidelines
post-mitigation monitoring guidelines
mitigation monitoring results
Project Type: underpass
fencing
Infrastructure Asset: existing roadway
large underpass
medium underpass