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(CNN) – In an effort to reduce accidents involving wildlife on a busy highway, officials in Utah got creative: They built a bridge. New video shows the plan was successful.
The Utah Wildlife Division built the bridge in 2018 over Interstate 80 to reduce road accidents in Parleys Canyon caused by stray animals. Last week, the agency released a video of the bridge in use – helping moose, porcupines, deer and even bears cross the busy highway.
“It works!” officials posted on Facebook. “Thanks to the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah State University for monitoring the Parley’s Canyon Wildlife Overpass this year.” As you can see, the second year of this bridge allowed animals to migrate safely on the busy Interstate 80 and to help motorists safer too. Please move away from this overpass. Thank you! “
The viaduct is filled with boulders, boulders and logs, providing wildlife with a welcome alternative to the six lanes of traffic on I-80.
Wildlife generally need time to adjust, and state officials didn’t believe there would be such success so soon. Last year John Gleason, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Transportation, told CNN affiliate KSL that it may take years for wildlife to start using the bridge. .
“We are seeing results, and it’s an unexpected success to see results so early,” he said in 2019.
CNN reached out to UDOT for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
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