Below is a part of an Idaho Transportation Department news release. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation did not have a funding role in this part of the project but supported the larger SH-21 effort, including a wildlife underpass completed in 2010.
Idaho’s first wildlife overpass, built last year on State Highway 21 just east of Boise, won a national award in the “Environment & Planning” category of the AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) President’s Transportation awards, announced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“These two AASHTO national awards again prove that our employees are fantastic,” confirmed ITD Chief Deputy and Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “The SH-21 Lucky Peak wildlife crossing is a great partnering example, and the U.S. 95 McArthur Lake Bridge showcased excellent Tribal teamwork, to solve wildlife safety with cultural preservation success.”
The $7.5M project constructed a 150-foot-long wildlife overpass and more than a mile of big-game fencing parallel to the highway to guide animals to the overpass, significantly reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions on this busy highway section. The project improved motorist safety and protected the well-being of residents and commuters, along with wildlife. It benefits the traveling public, hunting and recreational heritage, and helps sustain the benefits our valuable wildlife resources and public lands provide. ITD wildlife-vehicle crash safety data and Dept. of Fish and Game GPS data determined the location of the overpass by finding where most migrating mule deer and elk crossed the highway. This is the next step in the long-range vision to promote safety, mobility, and economic opportunity along SH-21 between Lucky Peak and Idaho City. The goal is to reduce wildlife collisions in the area by 80%.
(Photo credit: Idaho Transportation Department)