On a late August Saturday night, following an exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team embarked on their journey back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recounted the moment when the team bus collided with a moose on the highway shortly after departure, causing a loud impact. Fortunately, everyone on board, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches, emerged unharmed from the incident.
Like many residents of New Brunswick who have encountered large animals on the road, Ouellet and his team members will not easily forget the experience. The province recently announced the addition of two new wildlife crossings on the same highway where the collision occurred.
These wildlife crossings, including both fencing and tunnels, aim to prevent animals like moose from straying onto roadways. Transport Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the placement of these measures is determined based on collision data provided by law enforcement to identify high-risk areas.
Currently, wildlife fencing lines both sides of 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways. However, the province recognizes the need for wildlife to move through their habitats freely and has constructed 82 wildlife crossings, including two new tunnels on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst.
These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, consist of prefabricated concrete segments, allowing large animals like moose to pass through safely. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes highlighted the importance of making these crossings intuitive for animals, ensuring that various species can utilize them effectively.
Forbes observed that the tunnels are not only utilized by large mammals but also by smaller animals like beavers, ducks, and bats. While the Department of Transportation has not seen a significant decrease in collisions due to the tunnels, their focus remains on enhancing safety measures and reducing accidents on highways frequented by wildlife.
Despite the installation of wildlife crossings, collisions with animals remain a concern for drivers. Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area while acknowledging the challenges of completely preventing such incidents. He emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate the risks associated with wildlife encounters on the road.