Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia are enacting laws that fund wildlife road crossings, a move that could cut animal-vehicle collisions by up to 90%. Drivers will be safer, and millions of animals will be protected.
These four states have passed legislation in 2026 to allocate funds for building overpasses, underpasses, and fencing designed to guide wildlife safely across highways. The measures come as vehicle collisions with deer, elk, and other animals cause over 200 human deaths and $8 billion in damage annually nationwide, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The laws represent a bipartisan push to address both safety and conservation.
Wildlife crossings are not new—Yellowstone National Park and Banff, Canada have had successful ones for decades—but state-level funding has been piecemeal. The 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act created a $350 million pilot program for wildlife crossings, but demand far exceeds supply. These four states are now stepping up with their own dedicated revenue streams. Colorado's law, for example, sets aside 3% of state transportation bond proceeds, estimated at $25 million per year. Oregon's legislation pairs a $10 million annual appropriation with a matching fund for private donations. Utah is leveraging a portion of its outdoor recreation tax. Virginia is using a mix of general fund transfers and toll revenue.
Specific provisions vary: Colorado's program targets high-collision corridors along I-70 and US-160. Oregon will focus on the Cascade Range routes where mule deer migrations are heaviest. Utah's plan covers critical habitat for pronghorn and bighorn sheep. Virginia is prioritizing the Shenandoah Valley and Appalachian routes. Each state will conduct collision hot-spot analysis and consult with wildlife agencies. The laws require annual reporting on accident reduction and animal movement data.
Wildlife crossings cost between $1 million and $10 million per structure, but studies from states like Wyoming and Montana show a 90% reduction in collisions and a payback period of just a few years from avoided insurance claims, emergency response, and carcass removal. "We're not just saving animals—we're saving lives and money," said Dr. Patricia Cramer, a road ecology expert at Montana State University, in a previous interview. "The data is overwhelming."
The broader implication is a shift in transportation policy from solely human-centric to a "coexistence" model. As more states see returns on investment, the movement could spread to regions like California, Texas, and the Midwest. The federal pilot program is currently oversubscribed by 5-to-1, indicating deep demand.
Next steps: Colorado will break ground on its first crossing by late 2027; Oregon's first projects are slated for 2028. Watch for collision data releases in 2029 to validate impacts. If successful, these four states could become blueprints for a national network of wildlife corridors—an idea gaining traction in both parties.
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How Four States Are Funding Wildlife Crossings For Better Safety
Drivers in Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Virginia will be safer due to new laws enacted to create more wildlife road crossing, reducing animal collisions with vehicles.
Noël Fletcher, Contributor
Forbes
3 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
- Colorado allocated $25 million annually from transportation bond proceeds, targeting I-70 and US-160 corridors where over 3,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur each year.
- Oregon's $10 million annual appropriation plus matching private donations is expected to fund 15–20 structures in the Cascades, reducing mule deer mortality by an estimated 85%.
- Utah's law taps outdoor recreation tax revenues, generating $8 million per year for crossings in critical pronghorn and bighorn sheep habitat.
- Virginia combines general fund transfers and toll revenue to commit $12 million over five years, focusing on Shenandoah Valley hotspots that see 1,200+ wildlife collisions annually.
- The Federal Highway Administration reports wildlife-vehicle collisions cause over 200 human deaths and $8 billion in damage each year nationwide; crossings reduce collisions by up to 90%.
- The 2021 Infrastructure Act's $350 million wildlife crossing pilot program has received five times as many applications as it can fund, driving states to create their own revenue sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife crossings are structures like overpasses, underpasses, and tunnels that allow animals to safely cross roads and highways. They are often combined with fencing to guide animals to these crossing points, reducing collisions with vehicles.
By funneling animals to safe crossing points away from traffic, wildlife crossings can reduce animal-vehicle collisions by up to 90%. They also maintain habitat connectivity, allowing populations to migrate and access resources.
Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia have passed laws in 2026 to fund wildlife crossings. Each state uses different revenue sources, including bond proceeds, annual appropriations, outdoor recreation taxes, and toll revenues.
Funding comes from a mix of state transportation bonds, general fund transfers, dedicated taxes (e.g., outdoor recreation), toll revenue, and private donations. The 2021 federal Infrastructure Act also provides $350 million in grants, but demand exceeds supply.
Benefits include reduced human fatalities and injuries from collisions, fewer insurance claims and vehicle repairs, lower emergency response costs, and preservation of wildlife populations. Studies show a payback period of a few years.
Colorado plans to break ground on its first crossing by late 2027. Oregon's first projects are expected in 2028. Exact timelines depend on planning, environmental reviews, and construction contracts. Annual reports will track progress.
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