Brett French reports: Wildlife overpass engineer work funded

Funding has been awarded to conduct an engineering study aimed at building two wildlife overpasses between Livingston and Gardiner along Highway 89. The area the study will focus on is just north of Yankee Jim Canyon, close to the Carbella fishing access site, where elk congregate. The animals typically move into the area after migrating out of Yellowstone National Park. The nearby Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area is one attractant, along with private agricultural fields in the area. Almost half of all wildlife-vehicle collisions on the 55-mile stretch of highway occur in this area, according to research done by a coalition of groups. That adds up to about 160 collisions a year. Although constructing the overpasses isn’t cheap, there’s a huge savings to individuals who avoid smashing up their cars, not to mention injuries to drivers and their passengers. The structures also free up wildlife to safely migrate between seasonal habitat. Near Gallatin Gateway, an engineering study has already been completed with money being sought to build a wildlife crossing near the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon to avoid collisions with elk. Check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/yellowstone-safe-passages-wildlife-crossing-overpass-paradise-valley-haub-school-university-of-wyoming/article_3e3e47d6-81cf-11ef-8e43-e3c36bf1bf68.html to learn more about the importance of these types of structures across the West.

Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor for Billings Gazette Communications