So you're a cougar and you need to cross the highway

[francois]

Wouldn't it be nice if...

[dth656]

is that in florida?

sorry, i was thinking about a different KIND of cougar, ha. *rimshot*

[Entrenador]

Looks more effective than a gap in the center divide wall. Looks wide enough to fit a set of whoops for dirt cyclists than need to get across too.

[ebeer]

There are a bunch of these on the Trans Canada Highway leading out of Banff Alberta on the way to Lake Louise. For a stretch of highway I think they have one every 10 miles or something. The Canadian game agencies have found great success and have assembled an arsenal of documentation through research and motion detection cameras. Moose, elk, deer, bear, mountain lions, bobcats, badgers, and just about every mammal you can thing of use these nature crossings regularly. What you can't see are a series of tunnels that compliment the natural bridges. Apparently some species prefer the subterranean passage.

[chudaman]

Cool, but looks like inefficient government spending to me...

[gxglass]

Cool, but looks like inefficient government spending to me...

Bridges attract trolls, even on the internet.

[screampint]

Very cool!

[screampint]

Sometimes the greater good doesn't look like it.

[francois]

Tracking devices on cougars and other animals show that they have to cross the freeway regularly to roam their territory. This land is what they've crossed for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. That is why there an $8 billion dollar US road kill problem.

fc

[thedude76]

They have them here in Germany crossing the autobahn.

[memine]

I drove the highway in Banff a few years ago. The bridges are quiet beautiful and it is very inspiring. I cannot imagine they are as expensive as traditional bridges, as they look to be giant aluminum culverts that don't need to support cars and truck (this is speculation though).

Banff is a Canadian national park with many large animals.

[Jayem]

There are some in Nevada for cattle.

[Bigfoot]

Wouldn't they just steer their BMWs to the off-ramps?

[Empty_Beer]

Made me think of these gems...

[amsapper]

Bridges attract trolls, even on the internet.

this comment is complete win.

They have these things all over Poland, I think it was for livestock or farmers

[IAmHolland]

Made me think of these gems...

LOL! That's just....no words.

[primordial]

These crossings are awesome.

Conclusion: Europe and Canada rule.

[SnowMongoose]

Bridges attract trolls, even on the internet.

Bwahahaha, rad

[cmdrpiffle]

Bridges attract trolls, even on the internet.

Snort!

[Christieland]

These crossings are awesome.

Conclusion: Europe and Canada rule.

Agree, and agree.

Cougars cross Highway 17 with some regularity, and occasionally are struck by cars. It's very sad.

[Hel Mot]

I thought the California mountain lion population was healthy and growing? Seems like our schools are in greater need of the funding, for instance . Don't get me wrong, I understand protecting natural resources and traffic safety, just a priority difference for me. Can't wait until freeway overpasses for wildlife are the top priority.

[HarryCallahan]

I thought the California mountain lion population was healthy and growing? Seems like our schools are in greater need of the funding, for instance . Don't get me wrong, I understand protecting natural resources and traffic safety, just a priority difference for me. Can't wait until freeway overpasses for wildlife are the top priority.

Think a little more broadly, my good man. Not just cougars, but deer, cyclists and hikers, plain old locals trying to get from one side to the other without firing up the car and driving several miles.

[hoolie]

Those ladies would HATE walking through the woods carrying their clothes the next morning(Another rim shot). Cool OP.

[plantguy]

How much does it cost when a vehicle hits a 90 pound deer at 65 mph? What is the cost if that vehicle swerves into another vehicle in order to avoid wildlife in the road? These crossings are also passive, meaning they will not change how or where people drive. No life style change. And with well planed design will allow safe crossing for many species.
Many of us have been working on identifying choke point and vehicle – wildlife collision hot spots and are starting to get the attention of Cal Trans. It is also very important to have areas that will be protected from development long term so planning is a huge part of the process. DT

California Roadkill Observation System | CROS

Overview of pre-modeling steps for designing corridors - Corridordesign.org

[Hel Mot]

Think a little more broadly, my good man. Not just cougars, but deer, cyclists and hikers, plain old locals trying to get from one side to the other without firing up the car and driving several miles.

Thanks for clarifying who could use these overpasses. Education funding among other items is still a greater priority for me.