Crossings eyed to reduce the number of collisions involving animals, vehicles

While driving down Interstate 11 toward the Hoover Dam, travelers get the treat of watching a herd of bighorn sheep leisurely making their way along the dirt overpass across the highway.

The local sheep, which can be observed in places like Hemenway Park in Boulder City, can pose a road hazard during their treks through the mountains. Other animals, like the threatened desert tortoises, have been caught under cars while trying to graze.

Wildlife crossings — bridges or tunnels dedicated to help wildlife cross roads — are one of Nevada’s solutions to reducing animal-involved collisions and preserving some of the animals that call this state home.

“Wildlife crossings in my mind are some of the single biggest improvements that can be done to landscapes to help improve the status of our wildlife populations,” said Cody McKee, elk and moose staff biologist at the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

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