Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Making Drainage Pipes and Culverts Larger so Wildlife Will Use Them

Virginia's Great Dismal Swamp supports 21 species of snakes and 58 species of turtles, lizards, salamanders, frogs, and toads. So when Virginia Department of Transportation crews were widening 12 miles of Route 17 from the North Carolina State line to the intersection of Route 104 (Dominion Boulevard) in the City of Chesapeake, they installed larger-than-usual (41 to 72 inches) drainage pipes and box culverts so the animals could safely cross the highway. The passageways were placed where scientists determined animals were most likely to use them to cross to the other side of the road. Although the project is not yet complete, there is evidence animals are already using the pipes and culverts.

--Aug 21, 2006

Sande Snead, (804) 225-4491 or sande.snead@vdot.virginia.gov

Photo by Bridget Donaldson, Virginia Transportation Research Council

A Red fox crosses beneath the roadway.

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Along Roads - Virginia