Protecting people and wildlife

A great current opportunity and logical next step in connecting habitat in the Cascades is to make sure that large mammals can roam more freely north to south within Washington. That opportunity arose with a recent project to rebuild a major passage along the Interstate 90 in an area busy with human traffic and much frequented by wildlife.

I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition, administered by Conservation Northwest, is working to bridge the barrier that Interstate 90 presents to animals, promoting wildlife passage in the planned expansion and upgrade of I-90.

Promoting wildlife passage comes fast on the heels of the work by The Cascades Conservation Partnership protecting lands in the I-90 greater corridor. Over- and underpasses will reduce tragic collisions between animals and motorists, and provide safe routes for bears, elk, and other animals, thereby improving the overall health and survival of local populations.

The I-90 Project is finally in the funding stage. Public opinion led by the coalition has led to a proposed design that incorporates improved or expanded crossings at 18 locations, including creek crossings, wildlife-size culverts, and two overpasses, one at Easton Hill and the other at the rock knob by the Keechelus Dam.

Once built, the upgrade planned between Hyak and Easton will feature the first ever freeway wildlife passage in Washington State. Construction of wildlife bridges establishes another measure of success for wildlife throughout the central Cascades.

Take a peek at some of the animals that will use these wildlife passages.

Coalition steering committee

Alpine Lakes Protection Society
Biodiversity Northwest
Conservation Northwest
Kittitas Audubon Society
Seattle Audubon Society
Sierra Club
The Cascades Conservation Partnership

Endorsing organizations

American Rivers
Center for Tribal Water Advocacy
Defenders of Wildlife
Humane Society of the United States
The Nature Conservancy of Washington
Washington Environmental Council