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Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

On or Near Bridges

Low bridge rails can put some bird species at risk of flying into traffic, and bright lights on bridges can slow the passage of some fish species. Clay, sand, and other sediment suspended in water during bridge construction can also kill aquatic organisms or degrade important aquatic habitat. The runoff from bridges caused by traffic and maintenance activities can adversely affect aquatic organisms, too, when pollutants enter the water in sufficient concentrations to do harm. And some wildlife species are sensitive to disturbance resulting from bridge and road construction work in their vicinity.

Here are some things state transportation agencies have done to prevent these problems from occurring:

Title: An endangered mouse gets help from a boardwalk
State: Alabama
Title: Bird netting on fruit trees also protects cliff swallows on bridges
State: California
Title: Makeshift barriers keep swallows away from bridge work
State: California
Title: Insulation fabric and plastic drainage covers protect migratory birds from bridge-construction disturbance
State: California
Title: Peregrine falcons "relocate," thanks to human-made nest boxes on bridge piers
State: Connecticut
Title: Bird-deterrent netting protects swallows from bridge-construction work
State: Delaware
Title: Metal bridge poles cut seabird deaths by nearly 64%
State: Florida
Title: Longer bridge spans, more space for wildlife passage
State: Florida
Title: Installing sea turtle-friendly lights on a bridge
State: Georgia
Title: Septic tanks preserve water quality and fish habitat during bridge construction
State: Georgia
Title: Protecting aquatic habitat by including special measures in project contracts
State: Georgia
Title: "Roughening" a creek bed creates habitat for Topeka shiner
State: Kansas
Title: Saving old bridge pier helps protect mussel habitat
State: Kentucky
Title: Hands, buckets, and a safe new spot for endangered mussels
State: Louisiana
Title: Bridges over salmon streams get first priority for sand removal
State: Maine
Title: Black tarp shields nesting eagles from the sight of construction
State: Michigan
Title: Tarp and timing protect bridge swallows
State: Michigan
Title: "Recycling" a bridge work platform for mussel habitat
State: Missouri
Title: Turning a Railroad Bed into a Wildlife Crossing
State: Montana
Title: Gel keeps swallows off bridge during construction
State: Montana
Title: Native plant poles and plugs help protect minnow habitat
State: New Mexico
Title: Bridge nesting boxes boost State
State: New York
Title: Piece of cloth protects mussel habitat
State: North Carolina
Title: Drivers on a North Carolina bridge slow down for migratory birds
State: North Carolina
Title: "Being careful" and "being specific" protects swallow nests on bridges
State: Ohio
Title: Plugging bridge-deck drains creates cleaner water for fish
State: Oregon
Title: Bridge-Site Fish Can Rest Easy, Thanks to Pools Made by Rock Vanes
State: Pennsylvania
Title: "Turbidity barrier" protects lake fish from excessive sediment
State: South Carolina
Title: Flexible Bridge-Lighting Design Helps Migratory Birds and Endangered Turtles
State: South Carolina
Title: Stabilizing stream banks by not
State: Tennessee
Title: Limiting blasting near bat caves protects baby bats
State: Tennessee
Title: Higher bridge rails mean safer flying for purple martins
State: Texas
Title: Bridge nest boxes replace lost peregrine-falcon habitat
State: Virginia
Title: Dummy Eggs Replace Peregrine Eggs in Bridge-Painting Preparations
State: Washington
Title: "Lampshades" on bridge lights protect young salmon
State: Washington
Updated: 12/12/2012
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