First highway wildlife crossing dedicated
About 200 people attended a dedication ceremony May 10 for Southern Arizona's first highway wildlife crossing. The wildlife bridge crosses Oracle Road, or State Route 77, between Oro Valley and Catalina.
The Arizona Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation Authority funded the project. Pima County helped facilitate the project through land acquisition on either side of the bridge.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson assisted ADOT in the design of the crossing and is monitoring its use.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s press release about the crossing dedication said:
“This unique project is a result of many years of community collaboration among local and state jurisdictions, elected officials, conservation groups, and neighbors.
“The wildlife bridge is the first of its kind in Pima County, and certainly embraces our goals of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan,” said Pima County Supervisor Ramón Valadez, who represents the county on the Regional Transportation Authority Board. “This bridge and the underpass represent the will of the voters in supporting wildlife crossing infrastructure in our regional transportation plan.”
"The project is a testament to how a diverse group of stakeholders can come together to help wildlife and people," said Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman Kurt Davis. "The crossing structures will not only help reduce the chance of vehicle-wildlife collisions, but will also connect habitat to help ensure we have a wildlife legacy to pass on to this and future generations."
For more information about the crossing, see the AZGFD website.