
Environment Texas calls upon TxDOT to build more wildlife crossings

On August 5, Environment Texas Research and Policy Center and a number of partners submitted a letter calling upon the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to further incorporate wildlife crossings into its operations and adopt a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP), as a growing number of states have done. The letter was submitted as a public comment on TxDOT’s Draft 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), a 10-year planning document that assigns funding to TxDOT projects.
TxDOT’s road network fragments many species’ habitats, causing ecological damage and creating dangers for Texas drivers. Texas ranks as number one in the nation for the most deaths from animal-vehicle collisions. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, San Antonio and Austin are the top two cities in the United States by number of animal-related insurance claims.
Wildlife crossings and wildlife corridors, or networks of these crossings, are ecological protection and collision mitigation measures that are increasingly prominent across the western United States. TxDOT has succeeded with wildlife crossings in the past, namely with ocelot crossings in south Texas. So far, TxDOT’s Pharr District has built 27 ocelot crossings which have played a pivotal role in the effort to protect this endangered species.
TxDOT commissioned a 2019 report titled “Incorporation of Wildlife Crossings into TxDOT’s Projects and Operations” from the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) at the University of Texas at Austin. The CTR report found over 100 Texas road segments where the installation of wildlife crossings, namely fencing with underpasses or overpasses, would provide a return on investment. This cost-benefit analysis was based solely on the economic factors of preventing collisions; the true benefit of wildlife crossings is higher after considering the ecological benefits they provide.
After cross-referencing the UTP Project Listings with the road segments that showed a return on investment, we found that 11 of the projects set to receive funding under the 2025 Draft UTP contain one of these road segments. Environment Texas Research and POlicy Center called upon TxDOT to implement the studied wildlife crossings on those projects.
Furthermore, we encouraged TxDOT to collaborate with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to create a WCAP. A Texas WCAP would create a clear path forward for wildlife crossing projects. The cooperation of TxDOT and TPWD could catalyze a new wave of successful efforts to protect both drivers and wildlife.
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Authors
Luke Metzger
Executive Director, Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air and water, parks and wildlife, and a livable climate. Luke recently led the successful campaign to get the Texas Legislature and voters to invest $1 billion to buy land for new state parks. He also helped win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; helped compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at four Texas refineries and chemical plants; and got the Austin and Houston school districts to install filters on water fountains to protect children from lead in drinking water. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside and received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks. He is a board member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and an advisory board member of the Texas Tech University Masters of Public Administration program. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.
Nathaniel Fagelson
Intern
Nathaniel Fagelson is an intern with Environment Texas and a rising sophomore at Stanford University.