Utah officials wanted to decrease the number of highway accidents due to wildlife crashes, so the government got creative with their solutions. They decided to build a bridge. Thankfully, the crazy idea has been hailed as a huge success. Back in 2018, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources built the bridge over Interstate 80. The location known as Parleys Canyon has a large amount of wandering animal accidents. However, as a new video shows, wildlife like moose, porcupines, deer, and bears use the bridge frequently now.
"Thanks to the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah State University for monitoring the Parley's Canyon wildlife overpass this year," the agency wrote on their Facebook page underneath a video of the bridge in use. "As you can see, the 2nd year of this overpass has been successful at helping wildlife safely migrate over busy Interstate 80 and helping motorists be much safer as well. Please keep off of this overpass. Thanks!"
It was expected that the wildlife would take a few years to get accustomed to the change, and seeing them on the overpass in just two years was way ahead of schedule. The overpass is covered in grass, logs, rocks, and boulders to give it an authentic feel to the wild animals who wander through it. For these animals, the grass really is greener on the other side!