Dubois US 26 Wildlife Crossing Project: The Wind River to Grand Tetons – Connecting Wildlife on the Togwotee Trail

US Highway 26 from Stoney Point west of Dubois, Wyoming to the Wind River Reservation poses significant risks for both motorists and wildlife due to high numbers of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs). This project has risen to the forefront as the top wildlife crossing project for both the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. From 2015 to 2019, WVCs accounted for 74% of reported vehicle crashes along a 49 mile stretch (mileposts (MP) 24-73) of US 26; which encompasses this project, costing an estimated $791,400 annually. In response, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation launched a wildlife mitigation assessment in 2020. The assessment involved various partners and aimed to develop solutions to reduce WVCs, enhance driver safety, and maintain wildlife movement across US 26. The resulting strategy, shaped by community input, identifies key wildlife movement areas and collision conflict zones. This crossing project will address the “deadliest stretch” in this assessment which is located east of Dubois from the Wind River oxbow to the Military Vehicles Museum (MP 58-67). The total cost estimate of this project is $28,643,579 and includes replacing existing fences, the construction of three wildlife underpasses and one wildlife overpass. The effectiveness of a similar 13-mile-long wildlife crossing project in Nugget Canyon was studied by Hall Sawyer. That project reduced WVCs by 81% while allowing 49,146 mule deer to safely cross that highway during a three-year period.

The annual expense incurred by collisions from 2015-2019 along US 26 MP 24-73 totaled approximately $791,400, encompassing property damage, accident response, cleanup expenses, and the valuation of wildlife lost in these incidents. Within the project stretch MP 58-67, WVCs amounted to an annual cost of $280,100. This figure is primarily attributed to the valuation of lost mule deer. As a result, this section of US 26 stands out as one of the most perilous and financially burdensome stretches in the state in terms of WVC risk. Moreover, the mule deer affected by this project undertake their annual migration to and from the iconic Grand Teton National Park.

In the summer of 2024, the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Tribes will unite efforts to pursue a grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to help fully fund this project. To maximize our chances of success, The WYldlife Fund is collaborating with partners to raise $2.7 million in private funds. These funds will serve as a crucial match against both state and federal contributions, facilitating the full realization of this vital project.

Each contribution plays a pivotal role in our quest to secure the necessary federal funds. With your support, we can safeguard mule deer’s critical winter range and ensure their safe migration to and from Grand Teton National Park. Every dollar counts, and your donation will make a tangible difference.

To contribute directly to this cause, simply click the button below. For further details or inquiries, please feel free to contact us at 307-316-3863 or via email at chris@thewyldlifefund.org. Additionally, explore an interactive tour of the project’s progress by clicking here and navigating to Segment Six. Together, we can make a lasting impact on Wyoming’s wildlife and their habitats.