Wildlife crossing areas and safety measures will be constructed for U.S. Highway 160 between Durango and Pagosa Springs as part of a wildlife mitigation project, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Tuesday.

The project, including an underpass and overpass, will allow wildlife to cross the highway safely to help prevent animal-vehicle collisions.

“This is a heavily used corridor by vehicles and an important area in the San Juan Basin for big game,” said CPW biologist Scott Wait. “Most big game move to the important winter range areas south of the highway during the winter.”

In the project area, more than 60% of vehicle crashes are attributed to wildlife, CPW said. The project is expected to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in the area by at least 85%.

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The $11.3 million project will span two miles on U.S. 160 between mile markers 126 and 128, about 13 miles west of Pagosa Springs and 37 miles east of Durango.

Work includes the construction of a wildlife underpass, a wildlife overpass and an 8-foot-tall fence along both sides of the highway.

The project is a collaborative effort among CPW, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Colorado Department of Transportation and several other organizations.

While designing the project, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe provided researchers with critical biological information, including seasonal migration patterns and habitat in the area, that influenced design and construction.

“Hunting is an extremely important component to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and culture and it is considered vital to keep these traditions alive,” said Steve Whiteman, acting director of natural resources of the Southern Ute Reservation.

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The tribe also contributed $1.3 million to help fund the project.

Other financial contributions include $8.6 million from CDOT, $750,000 from CPW, $317,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $100,000 from Mule Deer Foundation and $75,000 from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“We are extremely grateful for the phenomenal partnerships that have made this project feasible,” said Tony Cady with CDOT. 

Construction of the project is scheduled to break ground in the spring and conclude by the fall.

This will add to the more than 60 wildlife mitigation structures CDOT has constructed above and below highways throughout the state.