Montana Requested Federal Funds for Wildlife Overpass

The state has applied for a $28 million grant to build a wildlife crossing along U.S. Highway 191 in Gallatin Canyon.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Wildlife

Screen-print poster illustration of a green, grass-covered wildlife bridge spanning a mountain highway, framed by evergreen trees in a vintage travel-poster style. — The Montana Department of Transportation is seeking $28 million in federal funding to construct a wildlife overpass in Gallatin Canyon to improve driver safety. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Montana Department of Transportation has submitted a request for approximately $28 million in federal funding to construct a wildlife overpass in Gallatin Canyon. The project aims to improve driver safety and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along U.S. Highway 191.

Why it matters

Wildlife collisions account for nearly a quarter of all reported crashes along the U.S. 191 study corridor, contributing to significant property damage and safety risks. This infrastructure effort seeks to address a high-risk area where Montana drivers face a one-in-54 chance of striking an animal.

Wildlife collisions represent 24% of all reported crashes along the U.S. 191 study corridor. Montana drivers face a one-in-54 probability of colliding with an animal, prompting the state to seek $28 million for construction.

The players

Montana Department of Transportation

This state agency is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of Montana's public transportation infrastructure.

Center for Large Landscape Conservation

This organization focuses on ecological connectivity and wildlife corridor protection through scientific research and policy advocacy.

The details

The proposed construction project includes the installation of a wildlife overpass, specialized fencing, cattle guards, and jump-outs. Priority locations for the structure were identified by the Center for Large Landscape Conservation using collision data collected by state officials in 2020.

MDT collected collision data for the corridor study in 2020.
The CLLC launched a feasibility study and submitted an initial grant application in 2024.
The Montana legislature passed bills to create wildlife crossing funding accounts in 2025.
The WCPP funding application cycle closes on Nov. 16, 2026.
Notification of the grant award decision is expected in spring 2027.

Roadmap

This project represents a broader shift toward integrating ecological connectivity into state transportation infrastructure. The state is competing for a portion of the limited $80 million available in the current cycle of the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

Residents and travelers frequenting U.S. Highway 191 may see safer driving conditions and reduced traffic disruptions if the project proceeds. The crossing aims to directly lower the current high probability of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the area.

The takeaway

Wildlife overpasses serve as a critical tool for balancing regional infrastructure needs with local ecological safety. Residents can monitor future transportation board meetings for updates on construction timelines and secondary funding developments.

What happens next

The federal funding application cycle for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program will close on Nov. 16, 2026, with award notifications expected by spring 2027.