Project Details

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  • New Hope Creek Bridge as a Wildlife Underpass

    NCDOT Research Project Number: 2004-07

Executive Summary
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    There are numerous concerns regarding impacts of highway bridge construction on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Some concerns focus especially on wildlife mortality or, since the area surrounding the project has one of the highest recorded deer-vehicle accident rates in North Carolina, the potential for human injury in deer-vehicle collisions. Hence, the construction footprint and duration, and post-construction configuration relative to adjacent wildlife habitat are issues that require study and documentation. Furthermore, highways may fragment wildlife habitat, which leads to diminished habitat quality, and reduced survival and reproduction of wildlife species.​

    The objectives of this research project are to:
    • Determine impacts of US 15-501 bridge construction across New Hope Creek on white-tailed deer movements, survival and habitat use.
    • Evaluate deer use of existing landscape configuration in the context of corridors, habitat fragmentation and potential for vehicular interactions.
    • Compare deer movement and activities within similar areas of nearby bridges.
    • Compare deer movement and activities with a similar area not impacted by construction.
Principal Investigator
  
Researchers
  
Phillip D. Doerr; Richard A. Lancia
Committee Chairman
  
Gordon Cashin
Project Manager
  
G. Dennis Pipkin

Related Documents

Additional Information on:

Report Period
  • July 2003 - June 2005

Status
  • Complete

Category
  • Environment and Hydraulics

Sub Category
  • Flora and Fauna

Related Links



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