Montana Proposes Fences, Gates, Warning Signs to Curb Wildlife Deaths Caused by Vehicle Crashes

Officials in Montana are considering installing fences, gates, and warning signs to reduce the number of wildlife deaths brought on by collisions with cars.

A proposal by the Montana Department of Transportation to construct wildlife exclusion fencing along a 10-mile section of Interstate 90 close to the Helmville Cut-Off is being made available for public comment.

The plan calls for the construction of warning signs, double cattleguards at ramps, fence gates, and wildlife jump-outs. The goal of these additions is to lessen the frequency and severity of vehicle and wild animal collisions in the region.

Montana Calls for Comments from the Public

According to a release, the public was notified of and allowed to comment on a plan by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to erect wildlife exclusion fencing along 10 miles of Interstate 90, east of Secondary 271, also known as the Helmville Cut-Off.

The project starts at the I-90 and S-271 intersection and runs for 10 miles east before coming to an end close to the Gold Creek Interchange.

The proposed work consists of warning signs, double cattleguards located at on- and off-ramps, fence gates, wildlife jump-outs, and wildlife exclusion fencing.

The project's goal is to improve safety along this stretch of I-90 to lessen the severity and frequency of collisions between wild animals (specifically, elk,) and vehicles.

Construction on the project is slated to begin in 2023, subject to the execution of all project-related tasks and the availability of funding.

There won't be any new roads, right-of-ways, or utility relocations required.

Where cross-fences will be connecting to new wildlife exclusion fencing, private ranch landowners will need to prepare for temporary construction and agreements.

Working with the community is crucial to properly preparing for future projects. The public is invited to offer suggestions and criticisms on the project under consideration by the Montana Department of Transportation.

The Montana Department of Transportation is accepting written and online comments.

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Wildlife Exclusion

To lessen collisions with large mammals, highway mitigation systems now frequently include wildlife exclusion fencing, according to a study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science.

Control-impact and before-and-after study designs have been heavily utilized in previous research on the efficacy of exclusion fencing.

These designs restrict inference and run the risk of confusing the performance of mitigation with concurrent processes that alter collision rates.

Colorado's Solution

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Town of Castle Rock, the City of Castle Pines, and Douglas County are collaborating to install wildlife fencing 16 miles long on the west and east side of I-25, from the Ridgegate exit in Lone Tree to the Meadows/Founders exit in Castle Rock, in response to incidents of vehicle/animal collisions along the I-25 corridor in Douglas County.

Drivers are urged to exercise extra caution this fall during the migratory period from October to November as they pass through the corridor.

According to the City of Castle Pines, when it comes to safeguarding the routes that animals use to migrate, Colorado ranks among the best states in the union.

Wildlife/vehicle collisions on Highway 9 between Silverthorne and Kremmling, Colorado, decreased by more than 90% after a wildlife mitigation system was installed.

This indicates potential for a reduction in collisions of a similar nature in the Castle Rock and Castle Pines region, NBC Montana reported.

Related article: Woman Driving Kids Home Hits 400-Pound Bear on I-26, Calls for Wildlife Passage After Car was Totaled