MDT is an awardee of the FY 2023 grant for its I-90 Missoula to Garrison Feasibility Study

Overview

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program includes $350 million for FYs 2022 through 2026, $111,850,000 of which is available for the FY 2022/2023 cycle. Not less than 60 percent of grant funds will be awarded to projects located in rural areas. Eligible projects include:

Non-Construction:

  • Research on safety innovations to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions (WVC).
  • Research and monitoring on the effectiveness of WVC mitigation.
  • Development of mapping tools to document WVCs.
  • Analysis of WVC impacts and best practices to reduce WVCs.
  • Planning studies to identify terrestrial and aquatic wildlife migrations corridors and roadway barriers to habitat that lead to WVCs.
  • Outreach activities to educate the public on WVC hazards.

Construction:

  • Design and pre-construction of an underpass or overpass for wildlife passage.
  • Environmental permitting and ROW acquisition to construct a wildlife crossing structure.
  • Adaptation or replacement of a culvert or bridge structure to accommodate connectivity for terrestrial species that are experiencing WVCs.
  • Construction of a wildlife overpass or underpass and fencing.
  • Preservation or restoration of habitat necessary to secure the effectiveness of a crossing project.
  • Construction of multiple crossing structures in an area to connect habitat for terrestrial or aquatic species.

FY 2023 NOFO Release Date: April 4, 2023

FY 2023 Submission Date: August 1, 2023

For additional detailed information, please see the U.S. DOT WCPP Grant Program Webpage.

FY 2022 & 2023 WCPP Grant Applications Submitted by MDT

Grant Application Name Project Type Grant Application Description Approximate Amount Requested
FY 2022/2023 Applications
Cougar Creek Bridge Replacement and Wildlife Accommodations Construction Replacement of the Cougar Creek bridge and the adjacent recreational bridge, with a design to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitat connectivity. Project includes wildlife accommodations. $6,700,000
I-90 Missoula to Garrison Feasibility Study Planning Investigative study to plan for wildlife crossings that will optimize the reduction of WVCs while providing the safest passage for wildlife across 68 miles on I-90 between Missoula and Garrison. $424,000