Utah Secured Federal Funds for Wildlife Crossings
The state has received $9.6 million to improve wildlife safety along the US-40 corridor.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Wildlife
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Should local governments prioritize funding wildlife crossings to reduce accidents on major highways?
The Utah Department of Transportation secured a $9.6 million federal grant to expand wildlife-safety infrastructure. This funding will support new fencing and underpasses to protect migrating herds along the US-40 corridor.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to significantly reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions after data showed 467 ungulate incidents along the route over a two-year period. By managing crossing points, the project helps maintain natural migration corridors while improving road safety for motorists.
The planned expansion includes installing 23 miles of fencing, retrofitting three existing underpasses, and building one new crossing between Fruitland and Starvation Reservoir. Utah has already completed over 60 such crossings statewide.
The players
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
This agency manages wildlife populations and their habitats across the state to ensure conservation and public safety.
Utah Department of Transportation
The state organization responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the transportation infrastructure across Utah.
The details
The project targets a segment of US-40 that has long served as a barrier for the Wasatch East mule deer herd, which migrates an average of 23 miles between seasonal ranges. Fencing will guide animals toward safer passage zones, building on successes from the Strawberry Reservoir area and other previous crossing installations.
Timeline
Construction on the initial Strawberry-area underpass and fencing began in 2019.
A 2024 state migration plan formally identified US-40 as a critical wildlife barrier.
UDOT announced the $9.6 million federal grant for safety improvements in January 2025.
DWR officials highlighted active usage of the Strawberry Reservoir underpass in September 2026.
Roadmap
This project reflects a broader movement in the western United States toward integrating wildlife connectivity into major infrastructure planning. By moving beyond traditional highway design to include biological migration needs, the state is addressing a long-term strategy to reduce high-volume animal collisions.
Drivers traveling through Wasatch and Duchesne counties can expect increased long-term road safety as new fencing directs wildlife away from traffic lanes. These infrastructure upgrades are designed to maintain regional traffic flow while minimizing the frequency of emergency stops due to animal strikes.
The takeaway
Wildlife crossings are a proven strategy for balancing the needs of regional traffic with the health of migrating herds. Implementing these structures requires coordination between transportation agencies and biologists to ensure animals actually use the designated passages.
Further reading
For more on local conservation initiatives, visit the Wildlife section.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize funding wildlife crossings to reduce accidents on major highways?
