Work to start on I-17 wildlife overpass south of Flagstaff

PHOENIX — Work is set to start on a wildlife overpass south of Flagstaff on Interstate 17 this month, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The new wildlife overpass in northern Arizona will be north of the milepost at Willard Springs Road.

The two bridge spans supported by steel-reinforced concrete girders will be built 12 miles south of Flagstaff.

Currently, the 8-mile stretch of land the overpass will be built on has no bridges and only one road culvert that elk and deer can use, according to ADOT. From 2018 to 2022, the area accounted for 58% of crashes involving wildlife from Stoneman Lake Road to Flagstaff.

What will the new wildlife overpass south of Flagstaff look like?

ADOT is partnering with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to build the $15.8 million overpass.

Funding for the project comes from a grant through the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program.

It will be 100 feet wide and is designed to help a variety of animals safely cross over the highway.

The overpass will also be covered by earth and vegetation, ADOT said.

The project, which will also include the installation of 8-foot-tall wildlife fencing, is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026.

Why is ADOT building new wildlife overpass south of Flagstaff?

Transportation officials want to cut down on collisions between vehicles and animals, such as bears and elk.

It’s one of many ways ADOT is trying to cut down on crashes between wildlife and vehicles.

In January, the department announced a new GIS mapping tool that identifies places where collisions between cars and vehicles take place most often.

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