Colorado Constructed an Overpass for Wildlife to Enhance Safety

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      While several major cities are looking to revert roads to natural landscapes for a more eco-friendly approach, Colorado has taken this concept further for safety reasons in remote areas.

      Just before the holiday season, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the completion of its I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass project. This initiative has created an overpass specifically designed for wildlife, aiming to improve safety for everyone involved, and I personally support this effort.

      The overpass, located near Larkspur off Interstate 25 in Colorado, connects 39,000 acres of wildlife habitat on either side of I-25 between Larkspur and Monument. According to the CDOT, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and various other species inhabit the region, and the overpass will allow these animals to cross the Interstate safely, without putting drivers or wildlife at risk. The area is noted for having significant large game movement.

      The CDOT anticipates that this overpass will decrease wildlife-related vehicle accidents by 90%.

      A worker distributing seeds on the dirt-covered wildlife crossing, Colorado Department of Transportation.

      The structure measures 200 feet in width and 209 feet in length, spanning six lanes of the Interstate. Overall, the overpass has a footprint of 41,800 square feet, according to the CDOT. It's topped with soil and vegetation and supported by 76 girders.

      The overpass completes a broader initiative focused on creating a wildlife crossing system, which also involved erecting fencing along sections of I-25. It stands as the largest wildlife crossing over an Interstate in the United States.

      The project cost $15 million and was mainly funded by a federal grant. The CDOT reported that “the project was finalized in under a year, ahead of schedule and within budget.”

      “The I-25 Greenland wildlife overpass is a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to enhance safe transportation options for both humans and wildlife, protecting vital habitats and our beautiful outdoor spaces for future generations,” stated Governor Polis.

      “The I-25 Greenland wildlife overpass is essential for the safety of both wildlife and drivers,” commented CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

      Given that animals roamed this vast continent long before humans arrived, it seems almost like nature is revitalizing itself just in time for the holidays and the new year.

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