In the southeast corner of Idaho, just 10 mi. from Wyoming, U.S. 30 threads between two mountain ranges split by the Bear River.
The area is known as Rocky Point and is a key migration passage for mule deer. Twice every year thousands of deer migrate through the narrow canyon and over U.S. 30. The result has been more than 100 wildlife vehicle collisions per year, posing significant risk to deer herds and motorists. It is estimated that the cost of these collisions at Rocky Point adds up to $2 million per year.
To solve the problem, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) designed a series of wildlife underpasses using two box culverts, a bridge, and fencing to funnel the animals into the underpasses. In addition, numerous jump-outs were installed to give deer an easy way to exit the highway in the event they get on the wrong side of the fencing.
“The Idaho Transportation Department's primary responsibility is the safety of the traveling public,” ITD Project Manager Bo Frasure said. “With approximately 100 wildlife collisions a year at Rocky Point, this project's need was clearly apparent. By funneling wildlife through underpasses, the animals are kept off the road and safely away from traffic.”
Sundt Construction is the project's contractor.
The project includes construction of three distinct structures: one bridge with precast concrete girders, one bridge using precast pre-stressed voided slab girders and one precast box culvert. Crews also will install 5 mi. of 8-ft.-tall wildlife fencing to help guide animals safely toward the crossings, along with associated roadway improvements.
In late August, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the Idaho Conservation League, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and ITD hosted staff from the offices of Sen. Mike Crapo, Sen. Jim Risch, Rep. Mike Simpson and other regional decision-makers to tour the project and to demonstrate the importance of wildlife crossings to public safety and wildlife migrations on Idaho roads.
Participants had an opportunity to go to the construction site to view one of the underpasses. With semitrucks roaring by on U.S. 30, the importance of the wildlife crossings was readily apparent to attendees.
In addition to Frasure, speakers included the director for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a landowner, an insurance executive, Idaho Fish and Game's regional supervisor, the local sheriff and a Bear Lake County commissioner.
“This project is about more than moving wildlife across the road — it's an investment in public safety and the mule deer resource in this part of the state,” said Dan Garren, regional supervisor for IDFG's Southeast Region. “What makes it especially meaningful is the overwhelming support from agencies, hunters, conservation groups, and the community. Mule deer are central to our outdoor heritage, recreation, economy, and way of life here.”
ITD secured a $20.8 million grant for the Rocky Point crossing from the Federal Highway Administration's Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program. The FHWA Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program grant covers about 98 percent of the construction costs for the trio of underpasses.
An additional $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a portion of the fencing to connect two of the structures in the heart of the mule deer travel route.⯠The project is scheduled to be completed this fall and is expected to be significantly under budget.
