FHWA Grants $125 Million for Wildlife Crossing Projects in 16 States

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced on Friday that $125 million in grants will fund 126 wildlife crossing projects across 16 states. This funding is provided through the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program aims to enhance safety for both motorists and wildlife by reducing vehicle-wildlife collisions. It also seeks to improve habitat connectivity and support the survival of threatened or endangered species.

These grants will support studies and projects to construct wildlife crossings over and under busy roads, add fencing to guide animals toward crossings, and monitor the effectiveness of these systems. The IIJA allocates a total of $350 million over five years, through fiscal year 2026, for this program.

“Too many Americans are injured or killed each year in crashes involving cars and wildlife, especially in rural areas—which is why our Department created the first-ever program dedicated to crossings that make roads and highways safer for both humans and wildlife,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Among the projects receiving funding, the Oregon Department of Transportation will receive $33.2 million to construct a wildlife crossing along Interstate 5 within southwest Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will receive $25 million to install multiple wildlife underpass structures and fencing along U.S. Route 64 within the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

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