North Carolina Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure

planned

North Carolina has allocated a recurring $10.2 million every two years in its state budget for wildlife crossing infrastructure. This funding aims to improve highway safety and wildlife connectivity by constructing animal-friendly overpasses and underpasses, particularly in the state's western mountains. The initiative follows a $25 million federal grant for fencing and wildlife underpasses on U.S. 64 in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to protect endangered species like the red wolf. The project is part of a decade-long campaign by a coalition to support wildlife crossings and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.