Four States Fund Wildlife Crossings to Reduce Road Accidents and Protect Habitat
In California, construction is nearing completion on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills — a landmark project that underscores a growing national push to reconnect fragmented habitats.
Now, four more states are following suit with new laws designed to fund wildlife crossings, a move that promises to protect both drivers and animals. Drivers in Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia will soon see the benefits of legislation enacted to create more wildlife road crossings and reduce animal-vehicle collisions.
The scale of the problem is stark. State Farm estimates that from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, roughly 1.7 million auto insurance claims were filed in the U.S. because of vehicle collisions with animals, with deer alone accounting for more than 1.1 million of those claims. The insurer identified West Virginia (1 in 40), Montana (1 in 53), Wisconsin (1 in 58), Michigan (1 in 61), and Pennsylvania (1 in 62) as the states where motorists are most likely to hit wildlife.
To address this, states are getting creative with funding mechanisms, using everything from lodging tax increases to voluntary donations at vehicle registration. The corridors benefit species ranging from tiny salamanders to large elk and moose, and are increasingly seen as a cost-effective, life-saving investment.
Oregon took the lead, with Gov. Tina Kotek signing House Bill 4134 on April 9 during the 2026 regular session. Starting June 5, the state’s transient lodging tax will rise from 1.5% to 2.75%, with the additional 1.25% dedicated to wildlife crossing projects. The National Wildlife Federation praised the bill as a model for other states. Karla Raettig, chief advocacy officer, said in a statement, “This is a decisive victory for wildlife and a landmark moment for conservation. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has demonstrated extraordinary leadership to preserve and protect the wildlife and habitat that define Oregon.” The bill enjoyed strong bipartisan support.
Connectivity is critical for species survival, as noted in the Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan for 2026: “Connectivity is species-specific. Species with low mobility are at extreme risk of impacts from habitat fragmentation, as they may lack the ability to move away from disturbance. More mobile species may be better able to adapt to habitat fragmentation by dispersing into suitable habitat elsewhere. However, as a result of this greater mobility, these species may also be more likely to come into conflict with humans and human-caused barriers like development and roadways.”
Virginia followed suit on April 13, when Gov. Abigail Spanberger enacted House Bill 597, creating a Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund. Starting July 1, the state Treasury will allocate money for projects such as new infrastructure that improves wildlife corridors. The grant will be administered by the Department of Wildlife Resources and added to the state’s list for voluntary contributions from tax refunds. The Department of Motor Vehicles will also work to inform residents that they can donate when making electronic transactions like vehicle registrations. Funds will support the state’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan, which aims to protect habitat corridors and reduce collisions. According to the plan, “More than 60,000 known deer-vehicle collisions have occurred annually in Virginia since 2015, costing the Commonwealth and its citizens approximately $533 million each year.” Environment Virginia thanked Spanberger and the legislative sponsors, stating, “Wildlife crossings are a common sense way to improve habitat connectivity and protect people on the road. We are thrilled that Virginia is advancing wildlife connectivity and the protection of animals and people on our roads.”
Utah’s new law, also effective July 1, creates a Wildlife Crossing Account within the Transportation Investment Fund. Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed the amendment (H.B. 431) on March 18, allocating $2 million annually from sales and use tax revenue, plus voluntary donations at vehicle registration and hunting license purchases. The funds will pay for wildlife overpasses and underpasses, directional fencing and escape ramps, habitat-connectivity mitigation structures, livestock safety fencing, culvert replacements, and planning efforts such as mapping and research. The Pew Charitable Trusts noted that Utah’s traffic has doubled over the past two decades, resulting in some 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions each year. Nic Callero, an expert on government wildlife habitat and biodiversity policies at Pew, said, “This dedicated investment ensures that crossings are built strategically and efficiently, protecting drivers, conserving mule deer and other wildlife, and strengthening the resilience of the state’s iconic migration corridors. Just as important, a reliable funding source allows Utah to accelerate life‑saving projects, reduce long‑term costs, and build a strong foundation to attract additional federal funding and partnerships that will expand these benefits for communities and wildlife across the state.”
Colorado will take effect next January 1. Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 26-141 on May 27, allowing residents to make donations to wildlife projects during motor vehicle registrations through an optional collision prevention fee, initially set at $5 and adjustable for inflation starting fiscal year 2030. Seventy-five percent of revenue will go toward wildlife safe passage projects, including overpasses, underpasses, and fencing that reduce vehicle collisions by up to 90%, according to Environment Colorado. The organization noted that the legislation protects critical migration corridors for herds such as Western Slope mule deer, ensuring animals can roam freely for years to come.
The growing momentum for wildlife crossings is also reflected at the federal level. The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure recently included federal funds for wildlife crossings in the BUILD America 250 Act. The previous pilot program was set to expire; if the legislation passes as written, the federal government would allocate $80 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. According to Pew, “Each prevented wildlife–vehicle collision can save thousands of dollars — more than $19,000 per deer crash, $73,000 per elk, and $110,000 per moose — in vehicle, injury, and wildlife costs, making well-placed crossings a strong investment.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com