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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Editorial: Passage Welcome If It Saves Critters



      It sounds like the joke, “Why did the chickens cross the road?”
    In the case of wildlife, the answer is not a joke. They cross the road to get to food or water or to hook up with other animals of the same species.
    But when that road is Interstate 40, the trip across can be hazardous not only to the animals, but to people driving.
    Last year the state Department of Transportation installed safe animal passages under I-40 between Carnuel and Tijeras as part of a $26 million reconstruction project.
    Now the department, with the help of a $1.2 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration, will start construction in October of another animal safe passage area between Edgewood and Mountain Valley Road. The project, which will not be part of any other road project, will use electric fences to funnel wildlife under the freeway just west of Edgewood.
    While it seems like it may be a little early to replicate the Tijeras Canyon project — there isn't an abundance of information on whether it is accomplishing its goals — the new safe passage should be a welcome sight.
    At least one goal of the Tijeras Canyon project has been met: There are fewer animals getting hit on the freeway. If that success can be replicated, it will be well worth the money spent.
   

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