Road ecology blog: Grate in the median (lets some light and water into underpass) at multifunctional underpass under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria.

In some cases there is only one structure (one bridge) for the two travel directions. If the road is wide (e.g. two travel lanes or more for each travel direction), there may not be much light or moisture inside an underpass. By placing a metal grate in between the two travel directions, some light and water can still enter the underpass, even if there is no median. More light is considered to result in a higher acceptance rate of the structure by wildlife. More light (and water) may also allow some vegetation to grow inside the underpass which provides for some food and cover for wildlife.

Click here for images of other multi-functional underpasses or overpasses.

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Bridge grate material in median lets light into multifunctional underpass (about 45 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaBridge grate material in median lets light into multifunctional underpass (about 45 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria

Bridge grate material in median allows for light inside multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaBridge grate material in median allows for light inside multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria