Kemmerer Wildlife Crossing Project Set to Begin Construction in 2025

Efforts to improve wildlife safety and reduce vehicle collisions along US Highway 189 in southwest Wyoming are moving forward, with construction of the Kemmerer Wildlife Crossing Project scheduled to begin in summer 2025, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), Oil City News reports.

The project, which aims to provide safer routes for wildlife while protecting drivers, will involve the construction of five wildlife underpasses, one overpass, and extensive fencing along a 30-mile stretch of US 189 between Evanston and Kemmerer.

Funded by a $24.3 million federal grant through the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, the project is expected to significantly reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions in an area where an estimated 80 deer–vehicle crashes are reported each year.

The total cost of the Kemmerer Wildlife Crossing Project is estimated at $37.4 million. In addition to the $24.3 million federal grant, funding comes from various sources, including:

• $4.2 million from WYDOT formula funds
• $8.8 million from contributions by the Wyoming Transportation Commission, Game and Fish Commission, the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, and other nonprofit and private partners

According to Darin Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the project is on track for contractors to begin work in summer 2025. The construction timeline spans two construction seasons, with an expected completion date of no later than November 2028.

A final construction schedule will be established once plans are finalized, a contractor is selected, and other potential factors — such as supply chain delays and weather conditions — are accounted for.

The US 189 corridor between Kemmerer and Evanston is a well-known area for wildlife-vehicle collisions, particularly involving mule deer, pronghorn, and other wildlife species. The Wyoming Range and Uinta deer herds, along with the Carter Lease pronghorn herd, are expected to benefit from the new wildlife crossings.

According to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, while approximately 80 wildlife–vehicle collisions are reported annually along this stretch, officials believe that many incidents go unreported. By providing safe routes for animals to cross the highway, the project is anticipated to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions by 80% to 90%.

Angi Bruce, director of Wyoming Game and Fish, emphasized the mutual benefit for both wildlife and human travelers.

“We know wildlife and humans will greatly benefit from this project… Mule deer and pronghorn will be able to move safely between seasonal habitats, reducing the number of animals on the roadway and increasing the safety of drivers on Highway 189,” Bruce said.

The Kemmerer location was identified as a priority wildlife crossing zone during Wyoming’s Wildlife and Roadways Summit in 2017, which included input from stakeholders such as WYDOT, Game and Fish, and conservation groups.

This stretch of US 189 was selected due to the high number of wildlife–vehicle collisions and the increasing pressure from future development. The planned construction of a nuclear power facility in the area is expected to increase traffic along the highway, further underscoring the need for wildlife protection measures.

This project builds on the success of previous wildlife crossing efforts, such as the Dry Piney and Trapper’s Point crossings, which have successfully reduced wildlife–vehicle collisions on other Wyoming roadways.

WYDOT is currently working on project designs, right-of-way acquisitions, and engineering plans. According to Darin Westby, WYDOT engineers are collaborating with wildlife experts to ensure the crossings are designed to align with natural animal behaviors and meet engineering safety standards.

“We are working closely with our Game and Fish partners to refine the design to identify crossing opportunities in this area that work best for animal behavior and engineering design requirements… The State of Wyoming continues to be a leader in improving wildlife connectivity through grassroots partnerships and dedicated stakeholders,” Westby said.