On a late August Saturday evening, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team finished their exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded their bus to return to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled hearing the driver gasp just five minutes into the journey as the bus collided with a moose on the highway. Fortunately, the team and coaches escaped unharmed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, similar to many New Brunswickers who have experienced close calls with wildlife. The incident coincided with the announcement of two new wildlife crossings along the same highway stretch.
The province employs various measures to prevent moose from straying onto roads, such as wildlife fencing and crossings. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson mentioned that the placement of these measures is determined by collision data analysis. Currently, 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are bordered by wildlife fencing on both sides.
Despite the extensive fencing, the province has constructed 82 wildlife crossings, including two new tunnels on Route 8. These tunnels, standing over four meters tall and wide, are designed to facilitate safe passage for wildlife under the highway. The effectiveness of these tunnels was studied over 15 years ago, showing that various animals, not just moose, utilize them.
According to wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, the tunnels must be designed intuitively for animals to use them effectively. While the Department of Transportation has not observed a significant decrease in collisions due to the tunnels, efforts are ongoing to enhance safety measures in collision-prone areas.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the region but acknowledged the challenges of preventing every potential crash. Despite the risks, he emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate wildlife collisions on highways.
