Roaring Fork Safe Passages Sets Priorities to Reduce Vehicle-Wildlife Collisions | Avant Garde Aspen Luxury Real Estate

Roaring Fork Safe Passages, the organization dedicated to protecting both wildlife and motorists in the Roaring Fork Valley, has identified key priorities in its ongoing mission to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions. The group is now seeking public feedback on plans for proposed underpasses and overpasses along critical wildlife corridors, the Aspen Daily News reports.

High-Priority Mitigation Projects

Phase 1 of the recommended mitigation work focuses on areas that have historically seen high incidents of wildlife-vehicle collisions. The proposed projects include:

• Extending an Existing Wildlife Fence – Designed to guide animals safely toward designated crossings and reduce road encounters.

• Replacing a Box Culvert with a New Underpass Bridge – Enhances safe passage for wildlife and improves connectivity along their natural routes.

• Constructing a New Overpass Bridge – Spanning mileposts 32.5 to 37.3, this overpass would allow larger animals, including deer and elk, to cross highways safely above traffic.

The combined design and construction costs for these projects are estimated to range from $22.4 million to $32.5 million, reflecting the high investment required to protect both humans and wildlife while maintaining roadway efficiency.

Public Input and Community Engagement

Roaring Fork Safe Passages emphasizes that community input is essential in shaping the projects’ final designs. Residents, commuters, and wildlife advocates are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed locations and structures, ensuring that the mitigation measures meet both safety and ecological needs.

Balancing Safety and Conservation

These initiatives highlight the importance of balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation. By strategically placing fences, underpasses, and overpasses, the projects aim to reduce collisions, protect local wildlife populations, and improve roadway safety for drivers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

Looking Ahead

With Phase 1 priorities identified, the next steps involve finalizing designs, securing funding, and beginning construction. The success of these projects could serve as a model for wildlife-safe infrastructure in other mountainous and high-traffic regions of Colorado.

Public feedback will help ensure that these ambitious plans reflect both community concerns and the natural behavior patterns of wildlife in the area.