Arizona is receiving $24 million to build safer wildlife crossings and reduce collisions with mostly elk along a stretch of Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff.
The money comes from a Federal Highway Administration grant that the Arizona Department of Transportation applied for.
It’ll be used to build a wildlife overpass near the Willard Springs area and add 8-foot fencing, escape ramps for trapped wildlife and double up on cattleguards.
It will also connect with Arizona Game and Fish Department fencing near Munds Park that directs animals to two bridges.
That area accounts for more than half of wildlife collisions in the area. More than half involved crashes with half-ton elk. The bridge is expected to be used to steer bears, elk, deer, mountain lions and smaller animals off the highway.
