Massachusetts Gets Grant Money for Animal Bridge

Massachusetts is about to build a new bridge to help animals cross the turnpike in an effort to lessen animal collisions.

Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation received a grant in the amount of $1.7 million that is designated to build a bridge that will allow animals to cross over the Mass Pike safely. It's raising a lot of eyebrows, including mine.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea in theory, but do we really think these animals are going to know to use a bridge to cross a busy highway?

It's reported that almost 2,000 accidents on average every year in Massachusetts involve a deer or animal and most happen in smaller towns and cities. Prime example, the majority of deer run-ins or strike with vehicles take place in Dighton.

This animal bridge crossing is one of over 125 transportation projects nationwide that just got funding to help with the "animal problem," all part of the bigger infrastructure investment under the Biden administration.

They call this the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, and just over $300 million in grant money will be awarded over the next several years for projects like this.

Get our free mobile app

Do we think these bridges will be effective in if not preventing, at least lessening, the number of animal related car accidents? How will we get animals to use these bridges? Reportedly, there will be fencing designed to corral them to the bridge, but will that work?

I would love to get your thoughts on this: is it just a waste of money or do we think animals will have the instincts to get safely across the Massachusetts Turnpike once this bridge is constructed?