As part of a larger push to increase highway safety, Massachusetts is getting $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 permitting for the bridge along the Appalachian Trail. This includes replacing an existing overpass near Becket in an area with “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, which is why our department created the first program dedicated to crossings that make roads and highways safer for both humans and wildlife,” he said. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With funding made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, projects moving forward in 16 states will reduce collisions between drivers and wildlife, create places for wildlife to travel safely over and under highways and will help preserve American life and property.”
there are more than a million wildlife accidents each year in the US And collisions with large animals cause about 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries each year. These shocks also cost citizens more than 10 billion dollars annually, according to the US Department of Transportation.
Fenced wildlife crossing structures have been shown to reduce motorcyclist collisions with wildlife by up to 97%, according to a to study.
In all, there was $125 million in grants for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states.
The Massachusetts project will provide separate areas for wildlife and pedestrians to cross. It will include fencing to help funnel wildlife to crossings.