A wildlife crossing project along U.S. Highway 26/287 near Dubois, where hundreds of mule deer are killed every year, is still short millions of dollars in hoped-for federal funds, but state officials are determined to see the project through regardless.
“This crossing project represents a critical investment in Wyoming’s wildlife and public safety,” Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Angi Bruce said in a statement from the agency.
“We are fully committed to this effort, and it remains the state’s highest priority for wildlife crossings. We are grateful to our partners and the public for recognizing its importance,” Bruce added.
It could take roughly $16 million in federal grants to meet the project’s estimated $28 million budget. But federal funds are in limbo, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) spokesman Doug McGee said in an email to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday.
“We have not heard on the RAISE/BUILD grant application for design that we submitted in late January, nor have additional opportunities, like the Wildlife Crossing Program, opened. The federal government has not provided a timeline for further announcements or opportunities,” he stated.
“Though some matching funds are available, WYDOT will need substantial federal competitive funding awards to move forward with the Dubois or other large wildlife crossing projects,” McGee added.
As the administration of President Donald Trump continues to comb through federal budgets, grants for highway projects aren’t readily available, and it’s not clear when those funds will start flowing again.
‘Everybody Is Still On Fire For This Project’
The Wind River To Grand Tetons Wildlife Crossing project outside of Dubois has long been a top priority for the state.
State officials and wildlife advocates want to build three wildlife underpasses and an overpass along a 25-mile stretch of Highway 26/287. It was hoped that construction could begin in 2027.
The Greater Yellowstone Coalition and the WYldlife Fund raised $2.7 million in private donations toward the project.
“I don’t think there has ever been that much money raised privately for a wildlife crossing in Wyoming,” WYldlife Fund president Chris McBarnes told Cowboy State Daily.
Another $10 million might be available through state funds.
“The state’s on board with this,” he said. “The commitment is still 100%.”
Though federal funding remains an open question, the push to get the wildlife crossing built continues, he said.
“The public needs to know that everybody is still on fire for this project,” McBarnes said.
Crossings Vital To Wildlife
There are thousands of vehicle collisions with wildlife in Wyoming every year. Mule deer remain one of the most vulnerable species, as highways cut through many of the routes they use to migrate between summer and winter range.
There also been a toll on bears. Wyoming’s most famous bear, Grizzly 399, was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson in October of 2024.
And earlier this month, one of Grizzly 399’s offspring, Grizzly 1058 was confirmed dead from a vehicle strike in Grand Teton National Park.
Grizzly 1058, a five-year-old male, was one of Grizzly 399’s famous 2020 litter of quadruplet cubs.
Another high-priority wildlife crossing project is the proposed Halleck Ridge overpass on Interstate 80 near Elk Mountain.
That would allow safe passage over I-80 for deer and elk along busy migration routes. But with the federal funds on hold, no timeline has been established for that project.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
