Moose, elk, black bears, and mountain lions are now able to cross six lanes of interstate highway traffic along I-25 near Larkspur, Colorado, thanks to the opening of North America’s largest wildlife overpass.
The Colorado Department of Transportation completed construction of the structure in Douglas County in December, by covering the overpass surface with dirt and vegetation.
Completed in less than a year—ahead of schedule, and on budget— the Greenland overpass was specifically designed to provide safe passage for elk and pronghorn, which need more space.
It connects 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of the 6-lane highway between Larkspur and Monument, and completes a system of smaller overpasses and underpasses constructed to improve safety along the 18 mile stretch near Castle Rock. (Watch a video below…)
Prior to the system being built, there was an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash per day in the fall and spring, when wildlife is most active.
The state’s research shows that the five underpasses are successfully being used by both large and small mammals.
“The I-25 Greenland overpass is a momentous feat,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Colorado is leading the way in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, and protecting critical habitat for generations to come.”
Transportation Director Shoshana Lew said the wildlife crossing system, called the I-25 South Gap Project, is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90%.
Measuring 200 feet wide and 209 feet long, it covers 41,800 square feet (3,900 sq meters), making it the single largest bridge structure for wildlife in North America—and one of the largest in the world.
76 girders hold up the bridge deck, allowing big game animals such as moose, bear, mountain lions, elk, mule deer and pronghorn to pass, while 100,000 vehicles travel daily below.
“After more than nine years of planning and work, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is excited,” said Wildlife Manager Matt Martinez. “We look forward to deer, elk, bears, mountain lions and many other species safely crossing I-25, once a major barrier to migration and wildlife movements.”
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Funding and expertise for the project came from a multi-agency public-private partnership, including the Federal Highway Administration. However, a federal grant award called the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, provided the bulk of the construction cost, which ended up being $15 million.
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