The government of New Brunswick is exploring the implementation of “wildlife reduction reflectors” as a budget-friendly solution to decrease moose accidents.
Chuck Chiasson, the minister responsible for transportation and infrastructure in the province, expressed his desire to install these reflective posts along Route 17 next year, specifically between Saint-Quentin and Saint-Léonard.
According to Chiasson, the reflectors, designed to enhance visibility along the roadside, would be positioned 30 metres apart, aiding drivers in spotting large animals during nighttime.
“Despite the measures that have already been introduced, there has not been a notable decline in the number of collisions annually,” he remarked.
Chiasson noted a slight rise in moose-related accidents from 2020 to 2025, even with the province maintaining 330 kilometres of fenced roadways.
The province’s minister of transportation and infrastructure said he took inspiration from Maine, which has wildlife reduction reflectors installed in three different areas. (Submitted by Eric Ham)
He mentioned he is unsure about the exact cost of the reflectors but believes they “would not be excessively expensive” compared to fencing, which costs around $160,000 per kilometre.
Chiasson also argued that fencing is not always the best solution.
“Moose and other wildlife are naturally migratory, and fencing them into a confined space could jeopardize the biodiversity of the herd,” he stated.
“During the wildfires, we had to remove a significant amount of fencing to allow the animals to pass through… we just replaced it last summer, and it was expensive.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson said fencing is costly and can impede on the biodiversity of wildlife. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Chiasson added that his department has been in discussions with Maine, where reflectors have been installed in three locations.
Eric Ham, the senior environmental manager at the Maine Department of Transportation, mentioned that, similar to New Brunswick, moose pose a “considerable risk to travelers in Maine.”
He indicated that since the reflectors were put in place in 2008, he believes they have had a positive impact, even though there is no concrete data to support this claim.
Maine has had reflective posts installed since 2008 as a way to decrease wildlife collisions. (Submitted by Eric Ham)
“We believe they serve an important function,” he said. “If they can prevent even one or two serious accidents annually, then they justify the investment.
“At the very least, they encourage drivers to be more alert when navigating through these areas.”
Chiasson mentioned that the province monitors moose collisions, which would facilitate the assessment of the reflectors’ effectiveness.
He also stated that his department intends to engage with the community for input.