WILDLIFE -- Building a four- to six-land interstate highway through the Cascades mountains without safe crossings for wildlife was naive -- a little bit like building Grand Coulee Dam under the assumption that losing a few salmon runs isn't a big deal.
But Washington is continuing to right the wrongs of I-90's lack of habitat connectivity with construction starting today on the first freeway OVERPASS for wildlife movements. It's part of a project focusing on a wildlife-rich area east of Snoqualmie Pass.
When finished, the Seattle Times reports , the section of I-90 from Hyak to Easton will incorporate more than 20 major underpasses and overpasses engineered partly or wholly with wildlife in mind. Dozens of small culverts will also be rebuilt to allow easier passage.
Cameras have been capturing images of deer, ducks, coyotes and river otters moving through four new underpasses that already are open.
Find more information from the I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition , which has been promoting the projects and the success stories and science behind them.
- See additional information on Habitat Connectivity .
