In a time of deep political division, it’s uplifting to find an issue that brings people together. In Utah, ranchers, hunters, conservationists, recreationists, and public safety and transportation officials all agree: the need for wildlife crossings across the state is urgent and undeniable. Crossing structures, including overpasses and underpasses, are designed to help animals safely cross roads, protecting both drivers and wildlife. Creating a dedicated fund to support these projects isn’t just a good idea – it’s a bipartisan solution that benefits everyone.
Each year, Utah experiences an estimated 10,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions. These crashes result in human and animal fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and thousands of damaged vehicles. The economic cost is staggering: A 2022 study estimated that, on average, each deer-vehicle collision costs over $19,000 in damages, while crashes involving larger animals like elk can exceed $73,000 per incident. In total, wildlife-vehicle collisions cost Utah drivers and taxpayers over $165 million annually in vehicle repairs, medical bills, and emergency response services.
Fortunately, wildlife crossings are a proven solution. Studies show that crossing structures can reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90%. A prime example is the Parleys Canyon wildlife overpass on I-80, completed in 2018, which has been an overwhelming success, with thousands of animals using it each year and a significant decrease in collisions in the area. Similar success stories exist across the West, from Wyoming to Arizona. Yet, despite their demonstrated effectiveness, Utah still lacks a steady, recurring funding source to support these projects where they’re most needed. A dedicated fund for wildlife crossings would ensure a long-term, proactive investment in these structures rather than depending on inconsistent federal grants or one-off appropriations. This is especially important as transportation projects require years of planning, and the consistency offered by a dedicated funding source is essential to ensure UDOT can invest the necessary time and resources.
Wildlife crossings aren’t a partisan issue – public safety and transportation officials want fewer deadly crashes; conservationists want to protect migrating animals; hunters, who contribute hundreds of millions to the state’s outdoor economy, want to maintain healthy wildlife populations; ranchers, whose livestock are often at risk near highways, support efforts to reduce roadside fatalities; even fiscal conservatives see the benefit – wildlife crossings save taxpayer dollars by reducing the cost of accidents and infrastructure damage.
This is why leaders from both sides of the aisle have already come together on similar initiatives. In states like Nevada and New Mexico, bipartisan coalitions have successfully created funds for wildlife crossings, and Utah has already been an important part of this national trend. In 2023, the state made a one-time allocation of $20 million to design, construct, and maintain crossings at certain wildlife-vehicle collisions hotspots. Now, Utah has a chance to build on that success and become a national leader in this bipartisan effort by creating a dedicated fund for wildlife crossings.
Investing in wildlife crossings isn’t about politics – it’s about transportation safety, economic efficiency, and protecting Utah’s wildlife. This is an issue that Republicans and Democrats alike can champion, just as they have in other states across the West. By working together to create a dedicated fund, we can protect drivers, conserve wildlife, and save millions in taxpayer dollars. This is a solution that benefits everyone.
Kasey Lindstrom is the Utah Project Manager for Wildlands Network
