The Department of Transportation pledged millions in funding Friday toward projects to prevent vehicle crashes into wildlife, including the construction of highway underpasses for the highly endangered red wolf in North Carolina.
DOT announced the $125 million in grants as part of the wildlife crossings pilot program. North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will receive $25 million for its red wolf efforts — the second-largest grant to date from the program, which was authorized by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
NCDOT’s highway underpass project is one of 16 state and tribal efforts funded by the latest round of grants A first round of funding was announced last year.
“The projects moving forward in 16 states will reduce collisions between drivers and wildlife, create places for wildlife to safely move over and under highways, and help preserve American life and property,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement.
