Idaho Transportation Department’s Celebrating Idaho’s First Wildlife Overpass

In 2023, Idaho built its first wildlife overpass on State Highway 21 just east of Boise; a project that significantly reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions on this busy highway section. The project’s primary objective was to enhance motorist safety while safeguarding the well-being of residents, commuters, and wildlife within the SH-21 corridor. Led by the Idaho Transportation Department, this project serves to protect the state’s traveling public, helps preserve Idaho’s hunting and recreational heritage, and contributes to sustaining the socio-economic benefits derived from valuable wildlife resources and public lands. By providing a safe passage over the highway for deer and elk, the overpass effectively eliminates wildlife-vehicle encounters. This project represents a critical stride in a broader vision aimed at fostering safety, mobility, and economic prosperity along the SH-21 route between Lucky Peak and Idaho City. The overarching aim is to achieve an 80% reduction in wildlife collisions within this area.