December 18, 2025  

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Senator Cramer (R-N.D.), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Senator Curtis (R-Utah) announced legislation reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program. This program at the Federal Highway Administration is a competitive grant program with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.   

“The Wildlife Crossings Program at the Federal Highway Administration provides a unique opportunity to protect both our wildlife and our drivers – it is a true win-win. I am proud of the ongoing work in Maryland to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions across our state and look forward to supporting Maryland’s efforts by reauthorizing this important program. I want to thank Senators Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for their partnership on this legislation,” said Senator Alsobrooks.  

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Wildlife Crossings Program to better protect people and animals from the dangers of vehicle collisions, especially in rural states like North Dakota where the two frequently cross paths,” said Senator Cramer.  “Our bill reauthorizes and expands the program to support infrastructure projects directly aimed at improving roadway safety. I’m grateful to Senator Alsobrooks for her leadership of this bipartisan effort, which will benefit critters and communities across the nation.”  

“Wildlife crossings safeguard wildlife and protect drivers from dangerous collisions and costly damages to their vehicles,” said Senator Merkley. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress made a once-in-a-generation investment in these crossings, supercharging projects such as the I-5 wildlife crossing in Southern Oregon. Federal investments like this ensure we can continue to build on this progress for years to come.” 

“In Utah, we’ve long understood that protecting our natural heritage and keeping people safe go hand in hand,” said Senator Curtis. “The Wildlife Crossings Program is a smart, science-backed solution that reflects those values, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in the effort to reauthorize this important program.” 

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is excited to see Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Curtis, and Merkley introduce the bipartisan Wildlife Crossings Program Reauthorization Act. There are an estimated 1 to 2 million wildlife vehicle collisions annually, which are not only a threat to wildlife but are also a threat to human safety,” said CSF Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz. “Given the widespread success and overwhelming demand for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program first established in 2021, it is critical to reauthorize this effort to sustain wildlife populations and increase human safety on our nation’s roads. We look forward to working closely with Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Curtis, and Merkley to see this effort become law.”

“National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) supports this solutions-focused policy that would benefit public safety and national park wildlife alike,” said National Parks Conservation Association Legislative Director Christina Hazard. “From elk herds at Theodore Roosevelt to black bears in Catoctin Mountain, our national parks provide habitat for an incredible range of wildlife, which also supports strong tourism and outdoor recreation economies. In a time where common ground is hard to come by, polling results found that 87% of Americans support restoring or preserving wildlife habitat connectivity and improving migration corridors on lands and waters within and beyond park borders. NPCA urges Congress to support and advance this incredible investment in America’s national parks.”  

“Wildlife crossings on America’s highways increase motorist safety, ensure habitat connectivity, and save countless dollars by preventing vehicle-wildlife collisions,” said Joel Pedersen, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP thanks Senator Alsobrooks, Senator Cramer, Senator Merkley and Senator Curtis for their foresight and leadership to introduce legislation that would increase public safety while supporting the wildlife populations that American sportsmen and women depend upon.” 

“Reauthorizing the Wildlife Crossings Program is a priority for state fish and wildlife agencies to enhance the movement of wildlife and ensure safer roads,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “Every year, more than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions are reported across the United States, resulting in human and wildlife fatalities and costing billions of dollars in damages. We know there are proven solutions – such as culverts, bridges and tunnels that allow animals to migrate safely – to reduce these incidents and save lives. We applaud Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for the bipartisan introduction of this important bill.” 

“The wildlife crossings program created by Congress in 2021 has proven to be one of the most effective, popular, and bipartisan actions Congress has taken on wildlife in recent decades. It has delivered real results on the ground by saving lives, creating jobs, improving outdoor recreation, and maintaining magnificent wildlife migrations. We are glad so many Senators from both parties are working hard to reauthorize the wildlife crossings program and find more ways for Tribes and other communities to participate,” said Mike Leahy, senior director for wildlife, hunting, and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “Thank you to the bill’s sponsors for their work to reauthorize and increase funding for the national wildlife crossings program.” 

“Wildlife crossings are an investment in a better future, for the individual animals and people whose lives will be saved and for our nation’s wildlife that depend on connected landscapes,” said Katie Davis, Executive Director of Wildlands Network. “We applaud Senators Alsobrooks, Cramer, Merkley, and Curtis for their leadership in responding to Americans’ overwhelming support for more crossings by introducing and moving forward this bill.” 

Read full text of the bill here. 

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