New bridge will help animals cross Mass Pike to avoid accidents

As part of a broader effort to increase road safety, Massachusetts is receiving $1.7 million to help build a new bridge that will allow animals to cross the Massachusetts Turnpike.

The money will be used to fund pre-construction design and obtain permits for the bridge along the Appalachian Trail. This includes replacing an existing bridge near Becket, in an area where there are “a high number of vehicle collisions with deer”. status of records.

“Too many Americans are injured or killed each year in crashes involving cars and wildlife, especially in rural areas. That’s why our department created the first-ever program dedicated to railroad crossings that make roads and highways that are safer for people and wildlife,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With funding made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, projects underway in 16 states will reduce collisions between drivers and wildlife, create spaces for wildlife to travel safely on and under highways and will help preserve American lives and property.”

There is more than a million accidents involving wildlife every year in the United States. Accidents involving large animals result in approximately 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries each year. These collisions also cost the public more than 10 billion dollars each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Wildlife crossing structures with fencing have been shown to reduce motorist collisions involving wildlife by up to 97%, according to one study. study.

A total of $125 million in grants was awarded for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states.

The Massachusetts project will provide separate areas for wildlife and pedestrians. It will include fencing to help channel wildlife to the crossings.