Durango Telegraph - Opening safe passages: CDOT makes wildlife a priority
Opening safe passages: CDOT makes wildlife a priority

Between 1999 and 2003, more than 65 percent of all vehicle crashes in a local test area – between mile marker 95 and 98 near Gem Village – were wildlife related. In addition, the highway corridors on all sides of Durango boast similar statistics. The Colorado Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Wildlife, the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project and the Colorado Highway Patrol, is hoping to get a handle on the disturbing trend. A variety of local mitigation measures have been completed or are in the works in an effort to get animal-vehicle colli

sions down to a minimum.

-U.S. Highway 550 from the New Mexico state line north has a history of wildlife-related accidents. A wildlife underpass was built in 1999 and additional work is planned for next summer. Along with four-laning a 3-mile stretch of highway, CDOT plans to construct deer fences and build six or more “escape ramps.” The earth ramps are constructed inside the highway corridor and allow deer, elk and other animals to get out but not back in.

• In 2008, CDOT also plans to extend U.S. Highway 160 East’s four lanes through the Farmington Hill inter

section. Deer fence and several smaller animal crossings will be installed along with this project. East of Elmore’s Corner, the agency has cleared brush to improve visibility for motorists and plans to install a state-of-the-art wildlife detection system, which will alert motorists when wildlife is in the area.

• U.S. Highway 160 at Wolf Creek Pass is a critical corridor for Canada lynx, and a crossing was constructed in 2004. Additional underpasses will accompany future construction.

– Will Sands