TARVERSVILLE, Ga. (AP) The Georgia Department of Transportation is incorporating bear paths into its plans to widen Ga. 96 in rural Houston and Twiggs counties in middle Georgia.

The DOT said the widened Ga. 96 will bisect an estimated population of about 300 black bears that live in and around the Ocmulgee and Oaky Woods wildlife management areas as well as Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

DOT officials say that section of Ga. 96 has had 12 reported car collisions with bears since 2003, including two this year involving cubs.

After the road is widened, it’s expected to become a major east-west truck corridor.

Officials say the project will cost $132 million, with $5 million to be spent on 12 wildlife underpasses.

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