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Largest wildlife overpass in North America reduced wildlife collision by 91%

71 pointsby consumer451yesterday at 11:46 PM41 commentsview on HN

Comments

JKCalhountoday at 2:48 AM

I've seen it and a few others on recent road trips.

Additionally, Colorado (and other states) are putting these "animal escape ramps" along the sides of highways.

From what I can gather, a fence runs along the freeway on both sides—presumably to keep the wildlife out. But, I suppose in case an animal makes it into the danger zone, every mile or so there are dirt berms built against the fence that provide a way up and over the fence. Presumably they drop off on the other side so an animal is not as likely to use these in reverse: to get into the danger zone.

Additionally, there are often small partitions at each berm, jutting out from the fence. I imagine an animal following along the fence—when they arrive at the partition, they either go around it and continue, or do the right thing: climb the berm to get to the other side of the fence.

(Apparently called "Jump Outs": https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/district_news_inf...)

tobias2014today at 4:51 AM

Practical Engineering has a good video about wildlife crossings (2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mYpQWPtfpo

morninglighttoday at 4:23 AM

We need more of these - for pedestrians!

ChrisArchitecttoday at 2:05 AM

As expected from the press release at open about 9 months ago. (they estimated 90% reduction https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46321557)

The $15M price tag still seems like a lot. Happy for the critters and motorists tho

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AmazingEveryDaytoday at 12:30 AM

[flagged]

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maartenscholltoday at 3:15 AM

Surprised it took so long for a car-centric country to get on board with these

PeterHolzwarthtoday at 2:23 AM

"This area was getting about one deer hit a day"

Relative to how many didn't get hit, what's the percentage there?

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