Project Details

The construction of crossing structures to support new roads is an essential component of rural economic development but bridges and culverts can adversely alter stream habitat. When roads cross streams, natural resource managers recommend the use of a bridge rather than a culvert, because it is perceived that culverts do more damage to stream habitat. However, culverts are more cost-effective because they are often less expensive to install, require less maintenance, and have longer effective life. We propose research to help resolve this contentious issue. The proposed effort builds on the results of two previous NCDOT supported studies and focuses on measuring and comparing the impact of culverts and bridges on freshwater mussels and aquatic habitat. ​

The primary goal of the proposed research is to compare the impact of culverts and bridges of various designs on freshwater mussel populations. 

• Determining the impact of culverts on the relative abundance, diversity and spatial distribution of freshwater mussels in North Carolina piedmont;Measuring essential habitat characteristics to determine the physical impact of culverts;Comparing newly acquired data to existing data gained in previous surveys of 69 bridges and 11 culverts of various designs, andIdentifying crossing structure design attributes that may alter the physical or biological impact on streams.