Wildlife Overpasses Sucessful

We’ve all watched the construction of overpasses for wildlife between Bondurant and Pinedale, and many of us scratched our heads over the logic.  However, Ray Hagaman of Wyoming Game and Fish says the wildlife has already proven they know what they are for.  Hagaman says it is estimated that between two and three thousand pronghorn, and 2000 to 2500 mule deer pass through the well-known Trappers’ Point migration corridor each spring and fall.  Some of those pronghorn he says come from as far away as Grand Teton National Park.  The overpasses are the first of their kind in Wyoming and the first built specifically for pronghorn anywhere.  Hagaman says the project also includes an eight-foot tall wildlife fence on both sides of the highway for the entire 12-mile long corridor to help guide the wildlife to the crossings. Underpasses have also been built in the area as well as near Kemmerer and Baggs where mule deer, elk and even moose utilize the safety convenience.  The total cost of the wildlife project north of Pinedale was approximately $9.7-million and paid for by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. District Transportation Engineer John Eddins says while such projects are expensive, when you consider saving at least $500,000 per year in vehicle crash costs and wildlife mortality costs, the project is expected to pay for itself in about 20 years.