DUBOIS, Wyo. — In an effort to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the WYldlife Fund and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition announced their continued efforts to secure funding to complete the Wind River to Grand Tetons Wildlife Crossing Project outside of Dubois.
According to the WGFD, the wildlife crossing project proposes a series of strategically placed underpasses, an overpass and fencing along a critical stretch of U.S. Highway 26/287. The corridor is primarily used by the Dubois mule deer herd, but also provides vital passage for mule deer from the Sublette herd and Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.
Last year, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission designated the Upper Wind River Migration Corridor to allow for fundraising to help conserve mule deer populations. The WGFD said via press release that the project received public support and early funding commitments, but additional funding is still necessary to move the project into the construction phase. Once funding is secured, WYDOT plans to manage the construction of the project.
“Reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions is a priority for WYDOT, especially in high-use wildlife areas like Dubois,” WYDOT Director Darin Westby said. “We’re working closely with our partners to advance this project and make the highway safer for people and animals.”
The Dubois project is part of a larger, statewide effort to improve wildlife connectivity and reduce collisions. More information is available on the WYDOT website.
