Road ecology blog: Wildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada.

Wildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), across a newly twinned section of Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The overpass spans 4 lanes of traffic (2 lanes in each direction), and has art (drawings of animals) on the side, visible to people traveling the highway. The top of the overpass is landscaped with trees, shrubs, and brush and rock to provide cover for animals. Elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), Black bear (Ursus americanus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are among the target species.The overpass has a gradual approach (slope) for animals that approach the structure from the surrounding landscape. The overpass was completed in 2012, and the fencing was completed in 2013. The cost for the wildlife overpass were about CAN$ 2.9 million.

The wildlife use of the overpass is monitored by Kari Gunson of Eco-Kare. Moose, white-tailed deer, red fox (Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (Canis latrans) and black bear have been documented using the overpass.

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Wildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), Hwy 69, Ontario, CanadaWildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The overpass has art (drawings of animals) on the side, visible to people traveling the highway. The top of the overpass is landscaped with trees, shrubs, and brush and rock to provide cover for animals. Elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), Black bear (Ursus americanus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are among the target species.The overpass has a gradual approach (slope) for animals that approach the structure from the surrounding landscape. The wildlife overpass cost about CAN$ 2.9 million.

Wildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), Hwy 69, Ontario, CanadaWildlife overpass (about 30 m wide), Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The overpass has art (drawings of animals) on the side, visible to people traveling the highway. The top of the overpass is landscaped with trees, shrubs, and brush and rock to provide cover for animals. Elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), Black bear (Ursus americanus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are among the target species.The overpass has a gradual approach (slope) for animals that approach the structure from the surrounding landscape. The wildlife overpass cost about CAN$ 2.9 million.

Rocky Mountain wildlife: Bison (Bison bison) in the snow, Wyoming, USA.

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Bison (Bison bison) moving head side to side to move snow to access vegetation under the snow, Wyoming, USABison (Bison bison) moving head side to side to move snow to access vegetation under the snow, Wyoming, USA

Road Ecology blog: Box culvert for turtles, Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada.

Turtle underpass, Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The turtle underpass is 2.4 m wide and 2.1 m high. There are separate structures for the two travel directions with a fenced opening (15.3 m) in the median. Painted turtle, snapping turtle and northern water snake have been documented using this type of structure along Hwy 69. The large mammal fence is 2.3 m high. Geotextile fabric (black) is attached to the large mammal fence for reptiles and amphibians. The fabric is 0.8 m above the ground and 0.2 m below the ground. A 0.1 m wide strip below the ground is oriented away from the road to reduce the probability that animals dig under the fabric. Based on the research conducted by James Baxter-Gilbert (Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario) the underpass (box culvert) is believed to be suitable for turtles and snakes. However, the geotextile fabric has gaps resulting from installation errors, erosion and flooding. A sturdier barrier (concrete/steel/hard plastic) with reduced maintenance and better oversight during installation is recommended.

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Image below: one of the box culverts for turtles and snakes.

Turtle underpass, Hwy 69, Ontario, CanadaTurtle underpass, Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The turtle underpass is 2.4 m wide and 2.1 m high. There are separate structures for the two travel directions with a fenced opening (15.3 m) in the median. Painted turtle, snapping turtle and northern water snake have been documented using this type of structure along Hwy 69. The large mammal fence is 2.3 m high. Geotextile fabric (black) is attached to the large mammal fence for reptiles and amphibians. The fabric is 0.8 m above the ground and 0.2 m below the ground. A 0.1 m wide strip below the ground is oriented away from the road to reduce the probability that animals dig under the fabric. The underpass (box culvert) is believed to be suitable for turtles and snakes, but the geotextile fabric has gaps resulting from installation errors, erosion and flooding. A sturdier barrier (concrete/steel/hard plastic) with reduced maintenance and better oversight during installation is recommended.

Image below: the large mammal fence with the geotextile fabric (intended as a barrier for turtles) attached. Large mammal fencing combined with reptile and amphibian fencing, Hwy 69, near Burwash, OntarioLarge mammal fencing combined with reptile and amphibian fencing, Hwy 69, near Burwash, Ontario. The large mammal fence is 2.3 m high. Geotextile fabric (black) is attached to the large mammal fence for reptiles and amphibians. The fabric is 0.8 m above the ground and 0.2 m below the ground. A 0.1 m wide strip below the ground is oriented away from the road to reduce the probability that animals dig under the fabric. The geotextile fabric has gaps resulting from installation errors, erosion and flooding. A sturdier barrier (concrete/steel/hard plastic) with reduced maintenance and better oversight during installation is recommended.

Image below: James Baxter-Gilbert from Laurentian University at a box culvert for turtles. James Baxter-Gilbert at turtle underpass, Hwy 69, Ontario, CanadaJames Baxter-Gilbert at turtle underpass, Hwy 69, Ontario, Canada. The turle underpass is 2.4 m wide and 2.1 m high. There are seperate structures for the two travel directions with a fenced opening (15.3 m) in the median. Painted turtle, snapping turtle and northern water snake have been documented using this type of structure along Hwy 69. The large mammal fence is 2.3 m high. Geotextile fabric (black) is attached to the large mammal fence for reptiles and amphibians. The fabric is 0.8 m above the ground and 0.2 m below the ground. A 0.1 m wide strip below the ground is oriented away from the road to reduce the probability that animals dig under the fabric. The underpass (box culvert) is believed to be suitable for turtles and snakes, but the geotextile fabric has gaps resulting from installation errors, erosion and flooding. A sturdier barrier (concrete/steel/hard plastic) with reduced maintenance and better oversight during installation is recomended.

Rocky Mountain wildlife: Coyote (Canis latrans) in snowy landscape, Wyoming, USA.

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Coyote (Canis latrans) in snowy landscape, Wyoming, USACoyote (Canis latrans) in snowy landscape, Wyoming, USA

Road ecology blog: Multifunctional underpass (about 45 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria.

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Multifunctional underpass (about 45 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaMultifunctional underpass (about 45 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria

Montana wildlife: Bighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis) foraging.

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Bighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis), Montana, USABighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis), Montana, USA

Road Ecology blog: Wildlife fence connects tightly to multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria.

It is essential that wildlife fencing connects tightly to a wildlife underpass or wildlife overpass. No gaps should be present as that may allow wildlife to enter the fence road corridor. If the fence runs somewhat parallel to a wing wall of a structure, make sure the fence is positioned snug up to the wing wall; do not leave a wedge as this may cause animals that want to escape the fenced road corridor to get stuck.

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Wildlife fence connects tightly to multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaWildlife fence connects tightly to multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria

Rocky Mountain landscapes: Tree in snow storm, Wyoming, USA.

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Tree in snow storm, Wyoming, USATree in snow storm, Wyoming, USA

Road Ecology blog: Low volume road at multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria.

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Low volume road at multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaLow volume road at multifunctional underpass (wildlife and farm road, about 36 m wide), under A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria

Rocky Mountain wildlife: Bison (Bison bison) in snow storm, Wyoming, USA.

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Bison (Bison bison) in snow storm, Wyoming, USABison (Bison bison) in snow storm, Wyoming, USA

Multifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria. The overpass is designed for farmers, agricultural machinery, hunters and wildlife including roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus).

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Multifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaMultifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria. The overpass is designed for farmers, agricultural machinery, hunters and wildlife including roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus).

Montana wildlife: Bighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis) looking.

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Bighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis), Montana, USABighorn sheep ram (Ovis canadensis), Montana, USA

Road Ecology blog: Edge habitat on top of multifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria.

While we often design wildlife crossing structures for specific species (the "target species"), it is best to provide a crossing opportunity that is suitable for a wide array of species that may be present in the landscape. If a structure is large enough we can increase the performance of the structure to where it is not just about providing connectivity for selected animal species. It is about allowing ecosystem processes to continue despite the presence of a road. Ecosystem processes may include physical processes (e.g. those related to soil and water), as well as biological processes (wildlife movements, seed dispersal of plants). If the landscape and ecosystem processes are to continue over or under the road, then it basically means that the vegetation, soil and water continue. This may only be possible in road sections with very long bridges or tunnels. However, even on a narrower structure, e.g. a 50-100 m wide wildlife overpass, we can strive for this by ensuring that different habitat types, characteristic for the surrounding landscape, are present on top of the structure. These habitat types may include cover (shrubs and small trees), open habitat (grass-herb vegetation and bare sand), and edge habitat (transition between cover and open habitat). In this context the size of a crossing structure can be based on the space that would be needed to provide the different habitat types rather than what the minimum dimensions are for selected target species.

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Edge habitat on top of multifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, AustriaEdge habitat on top of multifunctional overpass (wildlife and farm road, about 100 m wide), across A4 motorway, Parndorf, Austria. The overpass is designed for farmers, agricultural machinery, hunters and wildlife including roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and European hare (Lepus europaeus).