One of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s ongoing projects, the Kiewit Interstate 40 Bridges Project, includes targeted efforts to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife—particularly bears—through the use of specially designed accommodations.
As part of the project, wildlife guards have been installed at strategic locations, including Exit 7 in the Pigeon River Gorge. These guards are intended to prevent bears and other animals from entering the interstate corridor, while still allowing vehicles to enter and exit safely. The design helps direct wildlife to safer crossing areas located beneath the bridges, keeping them away from high-traffic zones.
Additional safety features include fencing installed along the interstate to deter animals from climbing over, and fine wire at the base to block smaller creatures from accessing the road. Escape routes are also built into the wildlife guard system to allow trapped animals a way out.
These preventative measures are a response to the high number of wildlife-vehicle collisions historically reported in the area, particularly those involving bears. In conjunction with the guards, a designated wildlife crossing path has been created under one of the bridges to facilitate safe animal movement across the corridor.
Since this stretch of I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge reopened on March 1, no wildlife-vehicle collisions have been reported. The area sits along known migration routes, and the infrastructure improvements aim to reduce conflict points by guiding animals to specific, safer crossing zones.
Motorist behavior remains a key factor in road safety. NCDOT encourages drivers to follow posted speed limits, use high beams when necessary, and remain alert—especially in areas where wildlife activity is common. The broader goal is to support coexistence between humans and wildlife, particularly in regions where their habitats overlap.
