A $20 million wildlife overpass in Siskiyou County has received an early endorsement from its intended users, as three mule deer were captured on camera traps crossing the unfinished bridge over I-97. The sighting represents a promising start for a project designed to protect both wildlife and motorists along a critical migratory corridor.
The wildlife crossing, commissioned by California and still under construction, aims to provide animals with a safer passage across the highway while reducing the risk of vehicle collisions. Despite ongoing work and the presence of construction crews, the deer did not wait for the project's completion to test the new route.
The urgency of such infrastructure becomes clear when examining collision data from the area. Between 2015 and 2020, vehicles struck and killed more than 50 deer and 16 elk along this stretch of highway, according to the Department of Transportation. Each of these incidents carried the potential for serious injury or death to drivers in addition to the loss of wildlife.
The corridor in question extends approximately 20 miles south of the bridge near Weed and continues northward to Canada, bisecting established migratory routes used by deer, elk, bison, and other species. This geographic positioning makes the overpass a critical link in maintaining wildlife connectivity across a landscape increasingly fragmented by human infrastructure.
When completed, the bridge will feature trees planted across its entire span, creating a more natural environment that encourages animal use. The project also includes eight-foot-high fencing extending three miles north and south of the bridge, designed to funnel animals toward the safe crossing rather than allowing them direct access to the roadway.
Early monitoring has revealed that the mule deer are not alone in discovering the new passage. Camera traps have also documented a bobcat and other wildlife species using the structure, even as construction workers continue finishing touches on the project.
"While the contractor is still completing final touches, it's incredible to see wildlife already embracing the new structure, even with workers still in the area. In addition to deer, a bobcat and other wildlife have also been spotted using it," the Department of Transportation wrote in a Facebook post, according to Good News Network.
The department added that seeing animals use the structure so quickly represents "an exciting sign of the positive impact this project will have for both wildlife connectivity and public safety for years to come."
Wildlife overpasses have gained traction across North America as transportation agencies seek solutions to the dual problems of habitat fragmentation and vehicle collisions. These structures allow animals to maintain their natural movement patterns while keeping both wildlife and motorists safer. The immediate adoption of the Siskiyou County crossing suggests that such infrastructure can effectively serve its intended purpose when properly designed and located.