Wildlife Fencing and Detection Systems to Be Installed

Contracts have been awarded for the construction of a test section of wildlife fencing and for the supply and installation of two wildlife detection systems as the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador moves ahead with initiatives aimed at reducing the number of moose-vehicle collisions. These measures will be evaluated on a pilot project basis.

“Our government is taking steps to study ways to reduce the occurrence of moose vehicle collisions on our highways,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “These pilot projects are designed to test these measures in our terrain and weather, in areas identified as having concentrations of moose-vehicle collisions.”

A contract valued at $1.4 million has been awarded to Harvey Gale and Son Limited to construct the wildlife fencing. It will be located along the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) from west of Gallants Road (Route 402) junction to east of Barachois Pond Provincial Park and will include fencing along Route 460 for approximately 500 metres to help better protect the intersection. The section will be approximately 13.5 kilometres and will include a technique known as bouldering. This technique creates an area of rock boulders at fence termination points and is designed to deter moose from entering the fenced section of highway.

Safeguards of Canada Inc. has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $1.5 million for the installation of two wildlife detection systems. The systems will use sensor technology and flashing warning lights designed to alert drivers when a large animal is in the highway right-of-way. Surveying and preliminary work is already underway. One system will be installed on the TCH east of the Salmonier Line (Route 90) interchange for a distance of approximately 1.5 kilometres. A second system will be installed on the TCH just east of Grand Falls-Windsor for a distance of approximately two kilometres.

“This type of technology has been utilized elsewhere and we are looking to test it in our environment,” said Minister Hedderson. “By testing these systems on our highway, we can determine if this is a mitigation method that can be successful in our province as we aim to reduce moose vehicle collisions.”

The moose vehicle collision mitigation pilot projects will be installed this fall. The pilot projects are part of a series of initiatives, valued at approximately $5 million, launched by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador aimed at reducing moose vehicle collisions on provincial highways. The initiatives also include enhanced brush clearing and vegetation control and enhanced public awareness activities.

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2011 08 31                                                10:55 a.m.