Bipartisan Senate Coalition Moves to Expand Life-Saving Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure

Legislation would make the successful pilot program permanent, increase funding to meet surging demand

As part of ongoing efforts to make U.S. roads safer for both wildlife and people, Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), along with Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), introduced the Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Acts (S.3503) and the Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act (S.3556), companion legislation to increase funding for the Wildlife Crossings Program. These bipartisan bills seek to reauthorize the Wildlife Crossings Program and build on the work begun in the House of Representatives earlier this year with the Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act, introduced by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program was established in 2021, and it provides $350 million to fund first-of-its-kind wildlife crossing projects over five years, improving both public safety and habitat connectivity. Demand has far exceeded available funding, with applications from states, Tribes, federal agencies, and municipalities outpacing the grants awarded by roughly five-to-one.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Wildlife Crossings Program to better protect people and animals from the dangers of vehicle collisions, especially in rural states like North Dakota where the two frequently cross paths,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill reauthorizes and expands the program to support infrastructure projects directly aimed at improving roadway safety. I’m grateful to Senator Alsobrooks for her leadership of this bipartisan effort, which will benefit critters and communities across the nation.”

“Wildlife crossings safeguard wildlife and protect drivers from dangerous collisions and costly damages to their vehicles,” said Senator Merkley. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress made a once-in-a-generation investment in these crossings, supercharging projects such as the I-5 wildlife crossing in Southern Oregon. Federal investments like this ensure we can continue to build on this progress for years to come.”

“Building wildlife crossings is about saving lives and reducing the risk of dangerous vehicle collisions in New Mexico and across the country. I’m proud to have established the first-of-its-kind $350 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program in the Infrastructure Law, and to now lead the bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Program's funding and make it permanent,” said Heinrich. “I call on my Senate colleagues to pass this bill to keep people safe on the road — while also protecting big-game migration corridors and letting wildlife safely move within their ranges.”

“The Wildlife Crossings Program at the Federal Highway Administration provides a unique opportunity to protect both our wildlife and our drivers – it is a true win-win. I am proud of the ongoing work in Maryland to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across our state and look forward to supporting Maryland’s efforts by reauthorizing this important program. I want to thank Senators Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for their partnership on this legislation,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

Even in its initial phase, the program has supported remarkable projects, including efforts to create safe passage for critically endangered Red Wolves and other species, providing both public safety benefits and protection for wildlife populations. With reauthorization and expanded funding, additional communities and ecosystems across the country will benefit from life-saving wildlife crossings.

“Wildlife crossings are an investment in a better future, for the individual animals and people whose lives will be saved and for our nation's wildlife that depend on connected landscapes," said Katie Davis, Executive Director of Wildlands Network. "We applaud Senators Heinrich, Sheehy, Cramer, and Alsobrooks for their leadership in responding to Americans' overwhelming support for more crossings by introducing and moving forward these bills.

Cover photo: The Colorado Department of Transportation has completed construction on a wildlife overpass crossing Interstate-25 near Larkspur. (Courtesy CDOT)