A grass-covered wildlife bridge spanning all six lanes of Interstate 25 in Colorado is helping animals move between habitats while making the highway safer. In its first nine months of operation, wildlife-vehicle collisions in the area fell by 91 percent.
Completed in December 2025 by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the overpass is the largest of its kind in North America. It reconnects habitats covering roughly 39,000 acres, allowing animals such as elk, bears and pronghorns to cross above traffic.
Before the bridge opened, collisions were especially frequent during migration periods. The project complements other wildlife crossings in Colorado, including underpasses and smaller bridges. Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists have also documented animals using routes beneath the highway.
The results show how thoughtfully designed infrastructure can support both wildlife movement and safer travel. As more crossings are developed, similar projects could help roads and natural habitats coexist more effectively.
