Second wildlife overpass under construction

ELKO -- Work is under way on a second highway overpass for deer in Northern Nevada, but it might not be ready until spring, officials said.

Peek Construction of Las Vegas is building the HD Summit crossing for nearly $3.16 million, which is more than the $1.8 million for the first crossing, called 10 Mile Summit, because of the tight right of way and additional earthwork, said Mike Murphy, an engineer with the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Crews at HD Summit were working to backfill a small area and had to use smaller equipment, Murphy told the Elko Free Press.

The two overpasses, both on U.S. Highway 93 north of Wells in areas considered major deer migration routes, are the first in Nevada.

Funding for the first came from federal stimulus money, but the current project relies on federal highway safety money with a state match of roughly 10 percent.

The bridges are called wildlife safety crossings, but the main function is to keep wildlife from crossing the highways.

"It's for people's safety," said Joe Doucette, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The Transportation Department is a partner in the project, providing wildlife expertise, money and help.

Doucette said he watched 50 to 60 deer cross the 10 Mile Summit overpass at one time during the fall migration.

The department also constructed three passes under the highway, and Murphy said more deer are using those crossings than expected.

Murphy said his agency already has seen a reduction in the number of deer-vehicle accidents. But Murphy said some accidents go unreported if people are not injured.

There were 13 to 15 deer killed in the winter migration this year, compared with 30 to 40 in previous periods, he said.