Safe Passage

The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project

Help us build a way to get animals safely across our mountain highways.

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“C’mon baby!”

To cross or not to cross?

For wildlife whose ancestors have traversed our landscapes for centuries in search of food, mates, and territory, this is not the question. Their instinct is to continue moving across age-old geographical paths. 

But humans have made this natural migration more and more difficult by fragmenting large sections of protected forest, bisecting them with huge roads fraught with heavy, fast-moving vehicles. 

The resulting rise in collisions with large mammals has become a serious concern not only for conservation, but also for human safety, economics and culture. 

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Video courtesy of Susan Detwiler. While driving through the Pigeon River Gorge, Susan and her husband captured this hold-your-breath moment, which demonstrates the dangerous plight of wildlife navigating our roadways. They sent us this video in support of the work being done to help these animals.

Meet the Animals

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Help Them Cross

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We’re In This Together

Nearly a hundred professionals and staff from more than 20 partner organizations contribute their time, skills, and technical assistance. Together, we are working to create opportunities for wildlife to safely cross our mountain highways in North Carolina and Tennessee. 

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Latest News

I-40 rebuild offers rare opportunity for wildlife conservation

Posted on?February 19, 2025

Please note: Since this story published in November 2024, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that two lanes of Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge are expected to re-open March 1, 2025. Featured in (from left) Asheville Citizen Times, Smoky Mountain Living magazine, Smoky...

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Rebuild stronger infrastructure now so NC can save later, featured in Raleigh News & Observer

Posted on?October 6, 2024

When Vermont was hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011, its infrastructure was shattered, just as ours in North Carolina is now. Someone up there had the wisdom to make sure every culvert, bridge and building that was destroyed was replaced by a version that was...

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Creating Safe Passage, featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors

Posted on?October 5, 2024

By 10 p.m., interstate 40 was dark and deserted as North Carolina State Representative Sarah Crawford and her husband Dan cruised east past Morganton, N.C. They were eager to reach their hotel for some rest between the wedding they’d just attended and the comedy show...

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NC Residents: Urgent action is needed for wildlife!

Posted on?April 26, 2024

The North Carolina General Assembly opens this week, and the Safe Passage Coalition is asking legislators to set aside funds for wildlife crossings across the state.  We need your help!North Carolina residents, please contact your representatives today and urge them to support $10 million for targeted funding...

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Wildlife Conservation Spotlight: UT researcher Kristin Botzet contributes valuable data to bear movements in Pigeon River Gorge

Posted on?April 5, 2024

Safe Passage Outreach Committee member Kimberly Smith, an EBCI Citizen and Southern Appalachian Representative for The Wilderness Society, profiles researcher Kristin Botzet for Women's Herstory Month.

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Bears at guardrail image courtesy of Bridget Donaldson, Virginia Transportation Research Council.