Florida – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has received a $6.1 million grant to build a wildlife crossing on a stretch of US-27 in southern Highlands County, close to the city of Venus, in an effort to improve road safety and animal conservation. Part of a larger project by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this funding seeks to lower the amount of wildlife-vehicle collisions, therefore mitigating major hazards to drivers and animal throughout the United States.
Established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the grant is one of several given under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Now in its second round of financing, the program has set aside $125 million this year to assist 16 wildlife crossing projects spread over 16 states, including efforts by one Native American Tribe. These initiatives aim to guarantee the survival of animal species through safer crossing options and below crowded streets, therefore improving safety for drivers.
Under the proposed design, US-27—known for regular wildlife crossings by species like the threatened Florida panther, white-tailed deer, and American alligators—will see notable enhancements. The project calls for building an underpass with a new box culvert over a 0.38-mile length of the route. Two miles of fencing will also be erected to direct animals toward the crossing, therefore significantly reducing the likelihood of collisions.
“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-ever program dedicated to crossings that make roads and highways safer for both humans and wildlife,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a news release.
Roadways have a major effect on wildlife; habitat fragmentation and obstacles to movement cause declines in wildlife numbers and rising car collisions. Along with economic losses topping $10 billion, these events compromise threatened species and result in almost 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries yearly.
“Safety is FHWA’s top priority, and these roadway safety investments will ensure that motorists and wildlife get to their destinations safely while advancing a safe, efficient transportation system that benefits all road users as well as the environment,” said Acting Federal Highway Deputy Administrator Gloria M. Shepherd.
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Other states getting major funding under this round are North Carolina, receiving $25 million to assist the Red Wolf Recovery Program in Dare County, and Oregon, which has been awarded $33.2 million for a crossing inside the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. These initiatives not only seek to lower traffic-related injuries to animals but also improve habitat connectivity, therefore guaranteeing the preservation and free flow of species over different areas.
With the FHWA receiving 61 applications this year, seeking over $525 million in financing, the reaction to the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program has been overwhelmingly positive. This strong interest emphasizes the countrywide dedication to environmental preservation and road safety.
As these projects commence, they represent a critical step forward in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which seeks to reduce roadway deaths and injuries to zero through a Safe System Approach. The program not only saves lives but also helps the local economy and environmental well-being by reducing accidents connected to wildlife.
The full list of project selections can be found at Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program FY 2024-2025 Selections | FHWA
