$9.6M Federal Grant Aims to Reduce Wildlife Collisions on US 40 in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – A stretch of U.S. Highway 40 between Wasatch and Duchesne counties has seen a high number of crashes due to wildlife interactions, accounting for more than half of all accidents in the area. Now, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has received a $9.6 million grant to address the issue, adding to the $20 million Utah lawmakers previously allocated for wildlife collision prevention projects.
Wildlife Fencing and Crossings to Be Installed
The funding will be used to install 23 miles of wildlife fencing along the highway, beginning in eastern Wasatch County and extending to Starvation Reservoir near Duchesne County. Additionally, UDOT plans to retrofit three existing wildlife underpasses—high-traffic areas for animal crossings—while constructing a fourth underpass between Fruitland and Starvation Reservoir.
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UDOT’s natural resource manager, Matt Howard, said this section of highway was identified as a problem area after working with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Officials analyzed roadkill reports and GPS data from migrating animals, pinpointing Currant Creek Wildlife Management Area as a critical zone needing intervention.
Addressing a Growing Safety Concern
Wildlife collisions are a major safety risk for both drivers and animals. Makeda Hanson, a wildlife migration specialist with the DWR, emphasized that the new fencing and crossings will reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle crashes by guiding animals to safer passageways.
“Reports show that animals are being struck at high rates on this highway,” Hanson said. “These improvements will help funnel them toward designated crossings, preventing accidents while maintaining habitat connectivity.”
UDOT data reveals that 60% of crashes on this portion of U.S. 40 in the past seven years have involved wildlife. The highway is a busy corridor, with oil-related truck traffic and recreational travelers heading to parks and outdoor attractions. These collisions can range in severity, with some causing human fatalities, in addition to millions of dollars in damages and medical costs.
Howard stressed the urgency of the project. “If we don’t act now, the problem will only get worse. Our goal is to reduce collisions and improve roadway safety for all Utah travelers.”
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Utah’s Wildlife Crossings Prove Effective
Utah has now installed over 60 wildlife crossings across the state, and UDOT reports a 90% success rate, meaning most animals are using designated bridges or tunnels instead of crossing highways.
This new project follows a similar $5.5 million grant Utah received from the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Program for a wildlife mitigation project near Kanab. Both initiatives are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2021.
While the exact start date for construction has not been finalized, Howard noted that planning efforts are ongoing to ensure the project moves forward efficiently.
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