We provide comments on short and long-term highway and road planning in order to ensure human safety and wildlife concerns are incorporated early-on in project planning. We also recently submitted a letter in response to the Montana Department of Transportation’s request for comment on the newly enacted federal transportation law: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).… Read the full Post
The 10 Most Dangerous Stretches of Highway in Montana: MSWP’s New Report Published
April 24, 2017 By
High-Risk Zones for Ungulate-Vehicle Collisions during Montana’s Fall Migration Season
INTRODUCTION
Wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) represent a serious threat to human safety and property and to wildlife populations. More than a million WVCs with large mammals occur each year in the United States, resulting in more than 200 human fatalities and 29,000 injuries1.… Read the full Post
Montana No. 2 in nation for wildlife vs. car collisions
September 27, 2016 By
From the Billings Gazette, Sep 20, 2016:
“Montana has the distinction of ranking No. 2 in the nation for auto versus deer, elk or moose collisions, according to a report by State Farm insurance company based on the number of claims filed.
… Read the full PostWildlife Bridges offer deer, antelope safe passage over highways
September 20, 2016 By Leave a Comment
From the Wyoming Tribute Eagle, Nov 7, 2014:
A herd of eight pronghorn antelope mosey over a bridge.
From their perspective, the bridge’s surface looks just like the prairie on either side of the span. Thanks to the 4-foot high berms on the edge of the 150-foot-wide overpass, the pronghorn show no sign of awareness of the highway traffic below.
… Read the full PostBridge crossing will help increase wildlife safety
October 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Construction part of project to upgrade U.S. 89
A short bridge that’s being constructed as part of a $6.8 million reconstruction of a six-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 89 southeast of Dupuyer will help wildlife safely cross underneath the road at that location, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.… Read the full Post
Montana ranked #2 in deer collisions
October 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
NBC Montana | Missoula, MT
Big Sky Country’s known for its big game, but that also puts Montana near the top of a not so enviable list. New numbers out from State Farm Insurance show Montana ranks number two in vehicle – deer collisions. … Read the full Post
MDT Initiates US 89 Corridor Study
August 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
July -August 2013
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and in coordination with Park County, is developing a corridor planning study of US Highway 89 (N-11). The study will examine the highway from reference post (RP) 0.0 at the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) boundary in Gardiner, north to RP 52.5 south of Livingston.… Read the full Post
PEER: National Park Service At Fault As Visitors Leave A Lot Of Roadkill In Their Wake
August 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
National Parks Traveler
Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on August 5, 2013 – 1:40am
A review of wildlife lost to vehicle collisions in three iconic national parks shows the National Park Service is struggling, and sometimes failing, to reverse the trend, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.… Read the full Post
7 bighorns die after being hit by vehicles near Bonner, elsewhere
July 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Missoulian | July 19, 2013 6:00 am • By Keila Szpaller
Seven bighorn sheep were killed in west-central Montana in the past week after being struck by vehicles, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Five of those sheep died after two collisions along Montana Highway 200 just east of Bonner, according to the agency.… Read the full Post
Research on mobility patterns of black bears could help wildlife, motorists
May 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Missoula, MT – State and federal highway departments are interested in the mobility patterns of radio collared black bears off interstate 90 near Lookout Pass.
The bears habits provide information on where to locate possible wildlife passageways.
For the past two years, wildlife biologists have been monitoring 15 bears.… Read the full Post
