Utah to receive $110 million to improve road safety

Animals passing through a new wildlife crossing near Kanab

Photo credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah among 17 states to receive $110 million to improve road safety by preventing deadly wildlife-vehicle crashes

Posted Dec. 6, 2023

“The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has been awarded nearly $5.5 million for the construction of wildlife underpasses near Kanab as part of the US-89 Safety Corridor Project. The funds are a part of $110 million being awarded to 17 states by the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. …

“In the last 5½ years, there have been 72 wildlife-vehicle collisions in this area, including one fatality. The total number of wildlife-vehicle collisions is likely even higher, as UDOT estimates half of all wildlife-vehicle collisions aren’t reported to authorities. These funds will help UDOT and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources reduce the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions, said Matt Howard, UDOT’s natural resource manager.

“‘US-89 is a major area of concern because of its increasing number of wildlife-vehicle collisions and lack of medical facilities in the area to treat people involved in collisions,’ he said. ‘We are always looking at ways to improve safety on our roads. We hope these undercrossings and new fencing will do just that.'”