Safe Passage

The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project

wildlife infrastructure

North Carolina General Assembly appropriates $2 million for wildlife crossings 

Safe Passage Fund Coalition is grateful for investment in Haywood County

RALEIGH, N.C. — In honor of Road Safety Week, the Safe Passage Fund Coalition applauds the North Carolina General Assembly for appropriating $2 million in funding for infrastructure to help reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions across the state. This infrastructure—which includes overpasses, underpasses and fencing along roads and highways—is critical in increasing safety along roadways for wildlife and humans alike.

“We are so grateful that the North Carolina General Assembly has prioritized funding to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions on Interstate 40 near the Smokies in Haywood County,” said Jeff Hunter, Southern Appalachian director of National Parks Conservation Association, a Safe Passage Fund Coalition member. “This is a win-win for wildlife and the motoring public. We are hopeful that this investment will help leverage federal dollars to address this issue statewide.” 

The N.C. Department of Transportation reports that the new funding in the budget will allow it to address three of the 13 Interstate 40 projects recommended by the Safe Passage Fund Coalition. Combined with the five projects that are already funded, this would bring the projects to a total of eight of the 13 recommended.

NCDOT plans to use the majority of the $2 million from this budget for additional wildlife fencing, planning, and the construction of a mitigation project at Hurricane Creek. The remaining funds will be used to develop estimates and feasibility plans for two potential wildlife overpasses, one bridge replacement, and two culvert replacements.

“NCDOT is excited to receive this funding and to continue the development and delivery of these important projects for Haywood County and western NC,” said Wanda Payne, NCDOT Division 14 engineer.

A sign at the exit ramp for Harmon Den on Interstate 40 in Haywood County alerts drivers to be aware of the new wildlife guard, which was installed as part of the 2022 bridge reconstruction. The wildlife guard discourages large animal species from approaching the interstate to cross. Photo by Elly Wells, courtesy of the Safe Passage Fund Coalition

“North Carolina’s funding to support wildlife safe passage across roads will help provide habitat connectivity essential for the persistence of healthy wildlife populations, especially in the face of environmental changes that are increasingly transforming and fragmenting the landscape,” said Ben Prater, Safe Passage steering committee member and Southeast program director at Defenders of Wildlife, a member of the coalition. 

NCDOT finished installing wildlife accommodations around the Harmon Den exit that include animal crossings on both sides of Cold Springs Creek, ungulate guards at all four ramps, and wildlife fencing around the interchange.

“Protecting wildlife from roadway collisions is critical for our infrastructure, the safety of motorists, natural ecosystems, and maintaining a positive image for North Carolina,” said Tim Gestwicki, CEO of North Carolina Wildlife Federation and chair of the Safe Passage Fund Coalition’s steering committee. “We are glad to see bipartisan support for this critically important work in our state.”

NCDOT calls for public comment on 10-year project plan

Now through Friday, Oct. 28, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is accepting public input on its transportation plan for 2024-2033.

The plan, known officially as the State Transportation Improvement Program, is updated approximately every two years and identifies the construction funding and schedule for projects statewide over a 10-year period.

NCDOT uses this public commentary to determine needs and interest levels for prioritizing projects across the state.

The Safe Passage Fund Coalition asks that supporters consider submitting comments that advocate for wildlife crossing projects in Haywood County, along the Pigeon River Gorge.

Suggested comment topics include:

  • Proven solutions to prevent wildlife–vehicle collisions include: improving existing structures like culverts and bridges that wildlife use to cross busy roads, or building new wildlife overpasses and underpasses so wildlife do not have to cross at road grade. Wildlife crossing structures have been shown to reduce motorist collisions involving wildlife by up to 97%.

  • Consider adding wildlife-friendly infrastructure in design and planning for bridge improvements already planned by NCDOT.

  • Construct large-mammal underpasses to reduce dangerous collisions with species such as white-tailed deer.

  • Construct small-mammal, reptile, and amphibian underpasses to significantly reduce roadkill.

  • Wildlife–vehicle collision-related costs add up to roughly $12 billion in the U.S. annually. The cost of a deer–vehicle collision averages around $6,000. Wildlife crossings can be costly upfront, but quickly pay for themselves by reducing the economic effects of collision emergency response, damages and repairs, medical bills, and reduced ecotourism dollars from wildlife viewing or hunting.

  • Every 26 seconds (or less) a driver hits an animal in the United States, making highways one of the greatest barriers to wildlife movement.

  • In addition to killing 1-2 million large animals every year, these collisions cause 200 human fatalities and more than 26,000 injuries nationwide.

  • Road mortality is a serious threat to 21 endangered and threatened species in the U.S.

  • The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress in late 2021, includes $350 million for wildlife crossing infrastructure projects through a competitive grant program. With smart investment and continued public support, North Carolina can make its roads safer for people and wildlife alike.

Please consider filling out NCDOT’s survey and voicing your support for wildlife-friendly infrastructure in upcoming projects to improve safety for wildlife and motorists alike. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

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