Wildlife groups advocate for innovative solutions in upcoming I-40 renovations

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — As Helene washed away big pieces of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, Haywood County officials are shutting down the flow of traffic in that area, telling News 13, that repairs will require a “big plan.”

Wildlife groups said they would like to see wildlife crossings included in the repairs, with three additional wildlife crossings implemented on the North Carolina side of the gorge, and four on the Tennessee side.

Tracy Davids said her group, Defenders of Wildlife, was devastated by Helene’s impacts, as the sheer power of the storm sliced away pieces of the interstate.

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She said despite the damages, the aftermath presents a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to build it back better.

Davids is also a partner with an organization called Safe Passage, and, as the name suggests, building the highway back safer would include more passageways for wildlife to cross back and forth.

“Protecting motorists and wildlife in this really important corridor,” Davids said. “Doing it now while the interstate is closed will be less hassle for motorists, better for commerce, and it will be cheaper too.”

She said Safe Passage has the knowledge and relationships on both sides of the border to develop the crossings, much like the wildlife passage incorporated under the new bridge built recently at the Harmon Den exit.

“That’s a really great example of what we can do in the gorge,” Davids told News 13.

Future crossings could take many forms, ranging from underpasses and overpasses, along with other protection items such as fencing and wildlife guards.

“If we put in bigger and better culverts that will withstand the test of time and be more resilient, that will help facilitate wildlife passage in the area,” she said.

Davids also said that wildlife partners are already working to identify spots for the passages, telling News 13 that the groups are “ready to roll up our sleeves and work with them,” but they need to first see what the Department of Transportation (DOT) can do, as that would be a major factor in determining the costs involved.

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“Safe Passages has the ability to leverage support to contribute to the wildlife infrastructure,” she said.

The damage to I-40 in the gorge is enormous, but Davids said she can envision an improved highway in the future, that is safer for both drivers and wildlife.

The DOT said it is very early in the planning for a permanent fix, but “all options remain on the table.”