The world’s largest wildlife overpass nears completion
With the project having reached the halfway point in July, the structure to support the bridge is up, including the foundation work of piers and columns, plus 76 girders, 38 over each direction of I-25.
With an anticipated completion date of late 2025, the world’s largest wildlife overpass is being constructed over I-25 in southern Douglas County near the Greenland interchange between Larkspur and Monument.
Called the Greenland Wildlife Overpass, the project reached the half-way milestone in late July and is a critical component of the overall wildlife crossing system of underpasses and fencing as a part of the I-25 South Gap project, which improved 18 miles of I-25 from Castle Pines to Monument. The completed wildlife crossing network is expected to reduce wildlife / vehicle collisions along that stretch of I-25 by 90%.
This project is one of 19 wildlife crossings the U.S. Department of Transportation has funded nationwide and is a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Douglas County and other partners. It addresses specific needs for elk and pronghorn that move around in the Greenland area depending on the season. Those animals will avoid tunnels and enclosed structures that restrict mobility and cannot accommodate their antlers, preferring to cross open structures that provide clear and open sight lines.
Strategically located to address the 3.7-mile gap from other wildlife crossings, the overpass will be used by other wildlife too, including moose, bear, mountain lions, mule deer and smaller animals. The location is an area known for high movement of large game and will connect 39,000 acres of big game habitat in the Douglas County Land Conservancy to more than one million acres of the Pike National Forest. The final bridge structure will measure 200 feet wide and 209 feet long, covering 41,800 square feet, with wide, gradually sloped entrances that invite wildlife to use the crossing.
During construction, motorists can expect lane closures in both directions of I-25, temporary lane realignments, narrowed lanes, reduced shoulders and reduced speeds through the work zone. The work schedule is daytime from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. and nighttime from 7 p.m. through 5 a.m., along with some overnight and weekend work.
For more information, visit codot.gov and search “Greenland Wildlife Overpass.”
A conceptual rendering of the Greenland Wildlife Overpass showing a herd of elk crossing over I-25. The design calls for soil seeded with native grasses to cover the new overpass, expected to be installed in early 2026.
Information and photos provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation
