Oregon and Utah have built more than 130 wildlife crossings
How wildlife crossings help save animals in Oregon and Utah Why Utah and Oregon are investing in wildlife crossings Why wildlife collisions are a growing
How wildlife crossings help save animals in Oregon and Utah Why Utah and Oregon are investing in wildlife crossings Why wildlife collisions are a growing concern Do wildlife crossings really work? Four states pushed wildlife crossing policies forward in 2026 Benefits beyond road safety A growing model for conservation Wildlife crossings are increasingly becoming one of the most effective ways to protect both motorists and animals on busy highways, and Oregon and Utah are among the US states leading the effort. Together, the two states have more than 130 wildlife crossings, including overpasses, underpasses and culverts that allow animals to safely cross roads while reducing dangerous vehicle collisions. Their success comes as four states—Utah, Oregon, Idaho and Virginia—advanced new measures in 2026 to make it easier to fund and expand wildlife crossing infrastructure. Conservationists say these projects not only save wildlife but also reduce injuries, deaths and billions of dollars in economic losses caused by wildlife-vehicle crashes.Wildlife crossings are specially designed bridges, tunnels and underpasses built over or beneath highways. They are usually paired with fencing that guides animals towards safe crossing points instead of allowing them to wander onto roads.According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, wildlife crossings with fencing can reduce collisions involving large mammals by more than 90% in some locations.
A single crossing can prevent an estimated 1,400 wildlife-vehicle crashes over its lifetime, protecting both wildlife and motorists.Utah has been a pioneer in wildlife crossing infrastructure for decades. Since constructing one of the United States' earliest wildlife overpasses in 1975, the state has built more than 50 wildlife crossings and continues expanding its network. In 2026, Utah approved legislation creating a dedicated wildlife crossing fund that will receive $2 million annually to support future projects.Oregon has also expanded its wildlife connectivity efforts through overpasses, underpasses and culverts across the state. In 2026, lawmakers approved legislation increasing the state's lodging tax beginning in 2027, with part of the revenue earmarked for conservation programmes that include wildlife crossing infrastructure, habitat restoration and research into reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.Wildlife-vehicle collisions remain a major public safety issue across the United States.According to the US Department of Transportation, as cited by The Pew Charitable Trusts, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur in the United States every year, resulting in around 26,000 injuries and more than 200 deaths annually. These crashes cost the US economy over $10 billion each year through vehicle repairs, medical expenses and lost productivity.
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