"Seeking ways to make I-90 safer for motorists and wildlife"

A 15-mile stretch of I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass is due for an upgrade and expansion (4 lanes to 6). The I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition is "Advocating high quality wildlife passage" for the expansion of I-90. The March/April 2005 "Puget Sound Journey" magazine summarizes some of the goals of the project, including:

• "The project bisects a critical link in the north-south movement of wildlife in the Cascades. More than $70 million have recently been invested to protect wildlife habits just north and south of the project area."
• "Scientists have recommended improved ways for animals to pass over or under the road, such as lengthening bridges over creeks and creating an overpass specifically for wildlife."

When I read about the over and underpasses my first thought was, "how likely are the animals to use them?" In the photos of existing wildlife passages, it says that an underpass in Banff has "cut the ungulate roadkill by 96 percent." Cool. Glad to see that someone is doing something about this.

Now to ensure that enough telephone and other wires provide enough overpasses for the squirrels. ;)

danbri's latest

birdie on the road

#2

Hard to tell it was a bird. Found outside the Japanese Garden.

oh deer...

DSCF3805
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

On our way to Goldendale...

roadkill quilt - intro

Are you fascinated by roadkill? Do you ever pull over your car or walk out of your way to photograph a particularly juicy piece? If yes, why?

I can't remember when my fascination with roadkill started. Only recently have I begun talking about my quest for identifying, photographing, and watching roadkill. I've learned about artists but never met anyone with my fascination. Yesterday, a co-worker showed me a photo on his phone. Voila: roadkill quilt.

Why a quilt? Traditionally, each square in a quilt told a story: the material used in a block might be reused from a dress worn for a first day of school, it might tell the story of a wedding, a birth, or a death. Women used to spend hours a week helping each other quilt. It was a social exercise with a practical result.

To discover other people with our passion for the flattened animal, I hope this blog will become a collection of photos and stories about roadkill woven together for a practical result - a memorial.

Unlike other blogs that mention roadkill but have nothing to do with actual roadkill [Roadkill blog, Roberta's roadkill cafe, small dead animals], I promise that this blog will be nothing but roadkill.