The U.S. Forest Service
has released a new report authored by wildlife crossing experts from WTI, ARC
Solutions, and other partner research organizations, which compiles key
guidance information that may lead to the installation of more wildlife
crossing structures.
Wildlife crossing
structures are one of the most effective means of reducing animal-vehicle
collisions on highways, while facilitating essential animal movement across the
landscape. Yet the widespread implementation of such structures, especially
wildlife overpasses, has been hindered by cost concerns. In 2014, WTI hosted a
workshop in partnership with ARC Solutions and prominent wildlife crossing
experts from Canada and the United States to determine whether there are design
parameters and construction techniques that could be added, changed, or
adjusted to reduce costs, while maintaining or improving the effectiveness of
wildlife overpasses.
Concepts identified
during the workshop were developed into specific strategies. This document presents 32 potential cost
savings considerations, which were consolidated into three categories:
- planning
- design and construction
- procurement, delivery method, and cost accounting considerations
The full report is available for download from the WTI website or the USFS website.
Citation: McGuire, Terry M.; Clevenger, Anthony P.; Ament, Robert; Callahan, Renee; Jacobson, Sandra, eds. 2020. Innovative strategies to reduce the costs of effective wildlife overpasses. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-267. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station.