On a dim Saturday evening in late August, following an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team embarked on their journey back to Bathurst aboard the team bus. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet was startled when the driver suddenly gasped, just a few minutes into the drive. A collision had occurred as the bus encountered a moose on the highway. Fortunately, all team members and coaches emerged unscathed, except for minor scratches sustained by the driver.
The encounter left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, akin to many other New Brunswickers who have faced similar situations involving large animals. Ouellet expressed his lingering concern, especially when traveling those roads in the evening or at night. Coincidentally, during that same week, the province announced the installation of two new wildlife crossings along the highway where the incident took place.
The province employs various methods to deter moose from venturing onto roadways, such as wildlife fencing and crossings. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson mentioned that the decision on where to implement these measures is based on collision data provided by law enforcement. Presently, 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are flanked by wildlife fencing on both sides.
Despite the extensive fencing, the province acknowledges the need for non-intrusive measures to allow wildlife to move freely. As a solution, there are 82 wildlife crossings, including concrete tunnels, scattered across different areas of New Brunswick. These tunnels, some installed just this summer on Route 8, are spacious enough for large animals to pass through comfortably.
Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, who led the study on the impact of wildlife tunnels, highlighted the importance of making the crossings intuitive for animals. Forbes noted that various wildlife species, not just large mammals but also smaller creatures like beavers and ducks, utilize the tunnels effectively.
While the Department of Transportation has not observed a significant decrease in collisions due to the tunnels, the focus remains on enhancing safety for travelers. Chiasson emphasized the importance of strategic mitigation efforts, including brush clearing to improve visibility on roadsides.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area to enhance safety measures. Despite the challenges, he acknowledged the difficulty of completely preventing collisions with wildlife and emphasized the importance of taking proactive steps to mitigate risks on the road.