WILSON, Wyo. – Four wildlife corridors that will accommodate local species moving through the area are included in the plans for the Wilson bridge replacement and the restructure of the WY22/390 intersection.

Construction for the Snake River bridge project has started and is anticipated to continue for the next two years to replace and expand the bridge and improve the WY22 and WY390 intersection. The construction will also build four new wildlife crossings.

Stephanie Harsha, District 3 public relations specialist with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), confirmed that the first crossing will be an underpass crossing on the east side of the intersection that animals can pass over, the second will be an extension of the new bridge, and the third and fourth will be two concrete box structures.

There will also be a pedestrian box under the road a little to the west of the third box that is not pictured in the rendered map. “That’s primarily for pedestrians, but more than likely will be utilized by wildlife,” Harsha said.

A rendered map of the 4 planned wildlife crossings in Wilson. Image courtesy of WYDOT.

According to a press release from the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, “there is a heightened need and opportunity for designing infrastructure that is sited and designed in ways that accommodate the current and anticipated impacts of climate change.” Climate change can influence animal migration, and wildlife crossings are a critical way to accommodate species who need to move through the community.

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, climate, wildlife and road ecology experts issued a consensus statement urging all government officials to consider climate-informed wildlife crossings and a network for ecological movement when planning construction. The statement says that wildlife crossings over or under roads can “reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90 percent.”

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a problem in Jackson Hole. Especially in the spring when many species have their peak migration season and the risk for collisions between cars and large animals is increased, these wildlife corridors will allow species like elk, moose and deer to avoid being directly on the road.

River Stingray is a news reporter with a passion for wildlife, history and local lenses. She holds a Master's degree in environmental archaeology from the University of Cambridge and is also a published poet, dog mom and outdoor enthusiast.