NC I-40 Bridge Replacement to Include Wildlife Crossings, Funded via US Dept of Interior

Wildlife crossing over Highway 9 in Colorado, via http://cpw.state.co.us. Credit: J. Richert, Blue Valley Ranch.
Wildlife crossing over Highway 9 in Colorado, via http://cpw.state.co.us. Credit: J. Richert, Blue Valley Ranch.

Wildlife Crossing Funds Provided to NC via Federal “America the Beautiful”

North Carolina wildlife will soon be able to traverse I-40 by walking through special wildlife crossings built beneath the structure. Wildlife crossings have been implemented in Europe and other US states, and serve to minimize vehicle-animal collisions.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, a contractor for the NCDOT is preparing for significant construction on a project to replace the bridge on Interstate 40 over Harmon Den Road at Exit 7 in Haywood County, North Carolina. The plans include two paths — one on each side of Cold Springs Creek — to help wildlife migrate from one side of the interstate to the other without encountering vehicles. A 9-foot tall fence will guide animals to the trails away from traffic and under the bridge.

In addition, NCDOT is evaluating the use of wildlife guards — similar to slotted cattle guards — to prevent deer and elk from walking up the ramps. These measures will hopefully encourage wildlife to cross under the bridge and reduce the possibility of animal accidents.

Said NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wanda Austin: “We are excited to be adding protections for wildlife in this and other upcoming NCDOT projects. We have worked with a wide variety of interest groups, transportation, and wildlife experts to incorporate these unique features to benefit the people who drive the gorge, and the animals that live in the gorge.”

The traffic management plan for this project includes a six-month detour with drivers utilizing the exit and onramps.

In recent weeks, construction crews from contractor Kiewit Infrastructure South have been mobilizing equipment and preparing to begin significant construction activities. This week, crews are upgrading the exit and entrance ramps.

Starting as soon as November 9, 2021, all traffic will be funneled into a one-lane pattern prior to the bridge and use the ramps as a detour around the bridge. Traffic will remain in this pattern into May while crews remove and replace the deteriorating structure.

In addition to the unique wildlife features, this five-bridge project is also the first of its kind in the state to be administered in a new method with the intent of forming a partnership between the NCDOT, the contractor and the design team. Kiewit Infrastructure earned the $19 million contract for the first of the five, which has a final completion date set in May 2024.

 

Additional Resources

 

Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.