
This photo by Wyoming Department of Transportation is from a camera that was mounted inside an underpass on US 30 in Nugget Canyon, Wyoming, after construction was completed on six new underpasses and several miles of game-proof fencing. WYDOT monitored the effectiveness of these crossing structures for three years and documented more than 49,000 mule deer crossings during that study. Courtesy WYDOT
JACKSON, Wyo. — The feds helped the Cowboy State double-down on wildlife crossings with grant money targeted for an underpass on US 189—a busy migration corridor in western Wyoming.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will receive a $14.5 million federal grant from the U.S Department of Transportation for a wildlife crossing project north of La Barge in southwest Wyoming. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for the Dry Piney wildlife crossing project will be used for underpasses, fencing and related improvements along a 19-mile stretch of US 189 between La Barge and Big Piney.
“Wyoming has demonstrated leadership in protecting wildlife as they migrate,” Governor Mark Gordon said. “Similar efforts the state has engaged in have not only benefited wildlife, but saved motorists as well. Projects like this one draw national attention to our state’s efforts to support wildlife health, and also open the door for federal funding of similar projects.”
The crossings and fencing will provide a safer means of travel for motorists while ensuring wildlife can continue to use historic migration routes.
“This grant will enable us to continue our work on the Dry Piney project, which will help us reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions on our roads,” said WYDOT Director Luke Reiner. “This project is important to Wyoming because it will improve highway safety for all.”
The Dry Piney project will help the Wyoming Range mule deer herd, as well as pronghorn and moose movement.
“Wildlife is valuable to Wyoming, and this project is an investment that helps preserve the historic migration of many big game species,” said Brian Nesvik, Director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director. “Underpasses, coupled with fencing, can reduce crashes by 80-90% and ensure animals can safely cross roads to get to seasonal ranges.”
The total cost of all phases of the project is expected to be between $12 and $36.5 million.
“This funding will help us keep Wyoming’s roads safer for everyone,” said WYDOT Chief Engineer Shelby Carlson. “WYDOT, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and other stakeholders have been studying this issue and have identified several areas in the state where improvements need to be made. Dry Piney is one of those areas and this grant will help us make those vital improvements.”
In addition to the $14.5 million BUILD grant, the Wyoming Transportation Commission and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission both contributed $1.25 million for a total of $2.5 million toward the Dry Piney project.
WYDOT will also receive other funding for wildlife conservation projects. A Casper-area family recently donated $25,000 toward wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation, and other donations are in the works.

$199,000
00 RIVERSIDE SUBDIVISION RD Pinedale
$3,295,000
3750 W SYLVESTER LANE Wilson
$1,595,000
6300 W PAINTBRUSH TRAIL Jackson
$7,795,000
180 N CENTER STREET Jackson
$495,000
000 BLM SUBDIVISION ROAD Pinedale
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