DUCHESNE, Utah (ABC4) — A new project by the Utah Department of Transportation will soon add 23 miles of wildlife fencing and a new wildlife underpass along US-40 near Starvation Reservoir in Duchesne County this year.
The Utah Department of Transportation-led project will reportedly improve safety along the highway using a $9.6 million federal grant. According to UDOT data, 60% of crashes in the last seven years in the area involved animals, which UDOT said highlighted a need for safety and animal migration enhancements.
“This grant will help us reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, all while keeping Utah – and even its wildlife populations – moving,” said UDOT Natural Resources Manager Matt Howard. “These wildlife crossings are vital for safety, as every time an animal crosses under one of those crossings, it is an animal that is not on the road, not a threat to itself and to Utah motorists.”
In addition to the new fencing and underpass, UDOT will also use funds from the federal grant to retrofit three existing wildlife underpasses in the area.
UDOT and the Utah Department of Natural Resources have so far constructed over 60 wildlife crossings across the Beehive State with the goal of cutting down on wildlife-vehicle collisions. Makeda Hanson, a wildlife migration initiative coordinator with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, said US-40 has been a barrier to wildlife movements, increasing the likelihood of crashes.
“Roadkill reports indicate that animals attempting to cross the busy road are getting hit by vehicles at rates,” said Hanson. “The new fencing will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and funnel wildlife to safe crossing locations that connect habitats across this route. These funds help make these projects possible, and we are excited to continue to partner with UDOT on these important efforts.”
UDOT has been working to improve wildlife crossings along several Utah highways over the years. In September 2024, the transportation department announced it was adding three miles of wildlife fencing near Echo Reservoir at the I-80 and I-84 junction in Summit County. There are also plans to extend fencing and improve safety in Kanab.
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