Pinal Today

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has secured a $566,000 federal grant aimed at reducing wildlife-related vehicle collisions and enhancing habitat connectivity. This funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

ADOT plans to utilize this grant to develop an online mapping tool designed to pinpoint wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots. The tool will analyze collision data and identify wildlife corridors crucial for habitat connectivity. This initiative will aid ADOT in prioritizing projects and estimating costs for future endeavors focused on protecting both wildlife and motorists.

By employing geographic information systems (GIS) mapping technology, ADOT aims to integrate habitat connectivity data with crash statistics and previously developed strategies to mitigate wildlife collisions. The resulting product will enable efficient identification and assessment of potential wildlife crossing sites.

In 2023, there were 2,014 animal-related collisions reported across Arizona, leading to 241 injuries and four fatalities. These figures underscore the importance of ADOT's efforts in ensuring safe connections for Arizonans.

The new system will build upon the Arizona Wildlife Linkages Assessment from 2006, which addressed wildlife connectivity during project planning stages. It will also incorporate findings from the 2021 Statewide Wildlife Vehicle Conflict Study that identified collision hotspots using crash data. Additionally, it will use GPS collar data from the Arizona Game and Fish Department alongside other critical information sources within and beyond ADOT.

ADOT’s project is among 16 selected nationwide for fiscal year 2024-25 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which allocates $350 million over five years through fiscal year 2025-26. A state match of $32,000 is required for this grant.