Wildlife

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

SR24-1

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

ADOT, NAU biologists work to protect endangered species while improving Verde River bridges

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
April 4, 2022

As you drive through the Verde Valley on Interstate 17, you won’t notice any construction work as you cross over the Verde River. But down below the highway, crews are working in the river bed to reinforce the footings of the Verde River Bridges to prevent erosion.

But there’s more going on than just construction work. Because that work is taking place in an area that is home to several endangered species, including snakes, birds and fish, biology teams work alongside construction crews to find and relocate these species.

This team of biomonitors from Northern Arizona University is led by Dr. Erika Nowak, assistant research professor in the Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes and director of the NAU Gartersnake Research Program.

Their purpose is to ensure that these species are protected as best they can be, given the construction activities. These species include the northern Mexican gartersnake, birds such as the yellow-billed cuckoo and the southwestern willow flycatcher, and endangered fish like the razorback sucker and spikedace.

Specifically, the team trains construction workers and project team members on identifying these species and what to do if they come across one. They will also watch construction activity and help ensure that any species are safely removed out of harm’s way. 

Because the work is in the river bed, crews built earthen bypass channels to contain river flow so crews can work outside of the area safely. For this team, it means that the biomonitors will remove all fish from pools that need to be filled in and rescue fish stranded during river moving events.

So what does the biology team do with these captured creatures? The team will identify the species as well as photograph and measure them. The northern Mexican gartersnakes are microchipped. And then, they are released. Fish and amphibian tadpoles are released into the Verde River downstream of the construction area.

“The relocation distance varies, but it’s typically about 50-150 yards from the capture point. We don’t want to release the animals too far away, as moving them out of their home range can disrupt their behavior, cause them to become disoriented, and thus more likely to die,” Nowak said.

You can learn more about the NAU biology team led by Dr. Nowak and their research on northern Mexican gartersnakes here.

The project to protect the I-17 Verde River Bridge footings is set to be completed later this spring. Learn more about the project itself here.

From the Director: Avoid deer in the headlights, literally

From the Director: Avoid deer in the headlights, literally

SR24-1

From the Director: Avoid deer in the headlights, literally

From the Director: Avoid deer in the headlights, literally

July 4, 2018

Crash

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

I am sure you have heard the expression “deer in the headlights” when describing someone who stares and has a frightened look on their face. At the Arizona Department of Transportation, we are alerting drivers to be on the lookout for “deer in the headlights,” literally, on our rural roadways.

Since 2012, more collisions with animals – wildlife, livestock, and family pets – happen this time of year than nearly every other, except for October which sees the most. More than 86 percent of crashes involving animals occur in rural areas.

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the higher-than-average number of wildlife-related crashes this time of year is likely related to the beginning of monsoon season. That means plants become greener and water becomes more available due to the rain. Wildlife will travel greater distances for food and water and that can mean crossing roadways. Coincidentally, we see more motorists traveling to Arizona’s high country and with that the potential for collisions with wildlife.

At ADOT we have implemented some creative solutions that promote safe travel in heavily-traveled migratory corridors. For example, we have wildlife underpasses and elk crossings along State Route 260 east of Payson, desert bighorn sheep overpasses near Hoover Dam on US 93 and two wildlife crossing structures on State Route 77 near Tucson. We have seen a 98 percent reduction in the number of elk-vehicle collisions on SR 260 over a six-year period due to fencing that link the three elk crossings.

As you travel on our rural highways, please pay attention to the signs that indicate wildlife in the area, obey the speed limit, wear your seat belts, and pay attention to the shoulders on the roadways. You will reduce the chance of colliding with an animal.

Enjoy your summer travels and avoid having your own “deer in the headlights” moment.


Director-Halikowski-headshot

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

Look out for wildlife when traveling in Arizona’s high country

Look out for wildlife when traveling in Arizona’s high country

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Look out for wildlife when traveling in Arizona’s high country

Look out for wildlife when traveling in Arizona’s high country

June 12, 2018

PHOENIX – It’s a traffic call heard too often this time of year inside the control room at the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center: “Car versus deer.”

 

From sunset to sunup, it’s not uncommon for a dozen vehicle strikes with deer, as well as antelope, elk, bear and other animals, to occur during a single evening as wildlife cross rural roadways. In fact, since 2012, more collisions with animals – wildlife, livestock and family pets – happen in June than nearly every other month – October sees the most. Annually, more than 80 percent of animal-related crashes are with wildlife and 86 percent of crashes involving animals occur in rural areas.

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the higher-than-average number of wildlife-related crashes in June is likely related to the beginning of monsoon season, which translates into a “green up” of plants and provides more available water, allowing wildlife to travel greater distances and forage. It also coincides with more motorists traveling to Arizona’s high country, meaning more vehicles on roadways.

In some of the most heavily-traveled migratory corridors, ADOT has implemented creative solutions that promote safe travel, while protecting wildlife and connecting ecosystems.  These projects include wildlife underpasses and elk crossings along State Route 260 east of Payson, desert bighorn sheep overpasses near Hoover Dam on US 93 and two wildlife crossing structures on State Route 77 near Tucson.

Partnering with AZGFD, these efforts have increased vehicle-travel safety, while preserving and protecting wildlife. For example, a fencing project linking three existing crossing structures on SR 260 reduced elk-vehicle collisions by 98 percent over a six-year span.

When traveling in rural areas, drivers are encouraged to pay heed to signs indicating areas where wildlife is prone to cross roadways. Obeying the speed limit and paying attention to the shoulders of roadways will also reduce the chance of crashing into an animal. AZGFD advises:

  • Deer are most active in early mornings and evenings.
  • If you see one animal there are probably more, so slow down.
  • Typically, you should not swerve to avoid hitting the animal. Stay in your lane and firmly brake.
  • However, if it is a very large animal and there is no oncoming traffic and the shoulder is safe on either side of the road, it may be safer to swerve rather than risk the impact from a large animal, like a cow, horse or adult bull elk.

Following crashes with wildlife (81.7 percent), livestock is the next most common at 13.6 percent. Family pets in urban areas make up 1.9 percent of crashes involving animals.

A visit from Rocky helps mark milestone for Ina Road/I-10 project

A visit from Rocky helps mark milestone for Ina Road/I-10 project

SR24-1

A visit from Rocky helps mark milestone for Ina Road/I-10 project

A visit from Rocky helps mark milestone for Ina Road/I-10 project

November 8, 2017

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

Everything was in place. The truck with 70 yards of hose to hoist concrete from the trucks on the ground to the new bridge that will carry Ina Road over Interstate 10. Rebar to hold the cement in place. The roller screed that would smooth out the surface. Even the rolling platform that experienced tradesmen would use to spray curing compound on the surface.

Just one very small problem: Rocky the Ringtail.

You remember Rocky. It’s his picture on the Arizona driver license that was redesigned in 2014. We held a contest to name him and you chose the name suggested by Rory of Peoria, who at the time was just 7 years old.

We hadn’t seen Rocky for a while until he turned up Tuesday morning, all warm and cozy under the lattice of rebar that is to become the surface of the new bridge. Unfortunately, Rocky’s hideaway was about to be covered in concrete.

As soon as some engineers explained what was happening, Rocky packed his things, waved goodbye and moved on. The last we saw him, he ran down the embankment, across the future lanes of eastbound I-10 and off into the desert.

Blog-2017-1108-rocky-naming-ceremony

Rocky should have known we were coming. The Ina Road project – adding a lane in each direction on both I-10 and Ina, building a bridge to carry Ina over I-10 and the railroad tracks and new bridges over the Santa Cruz River – has remained on schedule since it began back in February. We’re on track to finish on time in early 2019.

It’s a good thing our friend kept running. Those new lanes on I-10 will begin taking traffic in about five weeks.

See you next time, Rocky. Take care of yourself.

A tale fit for Halloween: ADOT’s bat man to the rescue

A tale fit for Halloween: ADOT’s bat man to the rescue

SR24-1

A tale fit for Halloween: ADOT’s bat man to the rescue

A tale fit for Halloween: ADOT’s bat man to the rescue

October 31, 2016

Lesser long-nosed bat

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

Just in time for Halloween, we have a not-so-scary tale of bats, a bridge project and an ADOT biologist.

It begins a day or so after Labor Day, just before crews are to start rebuilding the State Route 92 bridge over the San Pedro River between Sierra Vista and Bisbee, Arizona Department of Transportation crews make one last check under the bridge to be sure we're good to go.

We were not. Two lesser long-nosed bats had made a temporary home under the bridge. The photo above shows them in their perch.

The bats are an endangered species, which means we had to stop most work to avoid disturbing them. Most of the time, these migratory bats head to Mexico and farther south well before Labor Day, but our friends decided to hang out a little longer in southern Arizona.

ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, decided it would be best to wait until cooler weather encouraged the bats to move on. Our best estimate for that to happen was mid-November.

Enter Josh Fife, a biologist with ADOT Environmental Planning who made several visits to the remote, 61-year-old bridge to check on the bats. The other day, he noticed that they appeared to have flown on. After three straight bat-free days, he gave the OK for work to resume.

In addition to protecting the bats, Fife's checks saved a month of delays on the project, which is expected to be complete by early summer, and the costs associated with waiting.

As Bill Harmon, ADOT’s district engineer for southeast Arizona, put it, “Josh batted 1.000 on this one.”

Arizona Highways shows off its wild side in latest book

Arizona Highways shows off its wild side in latest book

SR24-1

Arizona Highways shows off its wild side in latest book

Arizona Highways shows off its wild side in latest book

June 17, 2016

Arizona Wildlife Guide

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

If you enjoy receiving your Arizona Highways magazine in your mailbox each month – and even if you aren't a subscriber yet – you should check out the publication's coffee table books and guides. The Arizona Highways Wildlife Guide just came out, and it documents 125 native species in full-color photography with informative descriptions, conveniently organized by animal type.

Arizona-based naturalist Brooke Bessesen, who wrote the guide, is a Phoenix Zoo veterinary technician and scientific writer.

The guide is available at ArizonaHighways.com now. You can also pick up the book beginning June 30 at Costco, Barnes & Noble, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Amazon.com.

Did you know that Arizona Highways, a publication of the Arizona Department of Transportation, publishes more than 20 books? They include:

Arizona Highways 100 Greatest Photographs is a full-color, hardcover book featuring 208 pages of the best photographs to ever appear in Arizona Highways magazine.

2016-0615-greatest-photographs

100 Greatest Photographs to ever appear in Arizona Highways Magazine

Outdoor lovers can find their next adventure in the Arizona Highways Hiking Guide or the Arizona Highways Camping Guide.

2016-0615-hiking-camping

Arizona Hiking and Camping Guides

There's even a book for the kids. Arizona Highways Backpacks of the Grand Canyon takes your children through the canyon, helping them identify unique plants and animals along the way.

2016-0615-children-39-s-book

Zackary Z. Packrat: Backpacks the Grand Canyon, by Brooke Bessesen

In addition to books, the Arizona Highways store also offers everything from holiday cards to dinner mugs and even socks printed with scenes from the Southwest.

Oracle Road project benefits wildlife, motorists and cyclists

Oracle Road project benefits wildlife, motorists and cyclists

SR24-1

Oracle Road project benefits wildlife, motorists and cyclists

Oracle Road project benefits wildlife, motorists and cyclists

June 2, 2016

State Route 77 (Oracle Road)

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

The State Route 77 (Oracle Road) project west of Mt. Lemmon not only adds travel lanes for drivers but has something for bicyclists and wildlife. The six-mile long construction runs from Tangerine Road to the Pinal County line. The $33.9 million project will be completely paved and striped this summer. Here's a rundown:

Improvements for cyclists

Improvements include an additional 12-foot-wide travel lane in each direction, making the road six lanes across. Ten-foot-wide shoulders (7-feet-wide with curb in Catalina) have been added to allow bicyclists to use the wider shoulders and the new shared-used path on the east side of Oracle Road from Wilds Road to Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard.

2016-0503-oracle3

Wildlife crossings

 

The first wildlife overpass structure in southern Arizona has been constructed as part of this project to allow wildlife to migrate safely between the Santa Catalina and Tortolita mountains. It is located south of Wilds Road. A wildlife underpass was also built south of North Big Wash Overlook Drive. The Regional Transportation Authority funded both wildlife crossings.

2016-0503-wildlife-underpass

Additional SR 77 improvements

 

There are several other improvements motorists along this stretch of road will notice:

  • Raised-center medians and left-turn lanes in the Catalina area
  • Retaining walls Sound barriers
  • Traffic signal improvements
  • Drainage improvements
2016-0503-oracle4

ADOT works to safeguard wildlife along state highways

ADOT works to safeguard wildlife along state highways

SR24-1

ADOT works to safeguard wildlife along state highways

ADOT works to safeguard wildlife along state highways

April 29, 2016

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

It's no secret that: (1) the Arizona desert is home to many types of animals; and (2) ADOT builds highways.

What may not be as well-known is the many things ADOT does in partnership with other agencies to keep animals and vehicles apart. That ranges from US 93 overpasses for desert bighorn sheep near Hoover Dam to fencing and underpasses for elk and deer along State Route 260 east of Payson.

This video highlights one such effort, focusing on the desert tortoise. Please check it out.

Pup rescued from SR 51 has a good home in her future

Pup rescued from SR 51 has a good home in her future

SR24-1

Pup rescued from SR 51 has a good home in her future

Pup rescued from SR 51 has a good home in her future

January 27, 2016

Dottie was rescued from SR 51 earlier this week.

A little dog that made her way onto SR 51 during Monday evening’s rush hour and miraculously avoided being hit by traffic now has a good home in her future.

Of course dogs don’t belong on the freeway, but this pup didn’t know that…

She was spotted on camera at about 6:15 p.m. by ADOT operators at the Traffic Operations Center.

“We watched her run across the northbound lanes of SR 51,” said ADOT Public Information Officer Caroline Carpenter. “Next, she started running southbound in the northbound lanes next to the median wall for a while. Then we watched her try to jump onto the median wall. After many tries, she finally made it.”

blog-2016-0127-dog2

The dog was spotted on camera by TOC operators.

Gil Estrada, a traffic reporter who works out of the TOC, was able to pick the dog up and bring her back. From there, Jayson Winter, one of ADOT’s TOC operators, took the dog to an emergency veterinarian who gave her an exam and confirmed she wasn’t microchipped.

With no microchip and no collar, there was no way to tell who this dog might belong to, so Winter took her home for the night and ADOT’s Twitter Team put the word out through social media. A number of news media outlets became interested and helped to spread the story.

“The whole idea was to try and find the owners,” says Tom Herrmann, a member of ADOT’s public information team who is based at the TOC.

As of this moment, no one has claimed the dog, but many other people have come forward. From well-wishers on Twitter to offers of adoption on Facebook, the response has been amazing.

blog-2016-0127-dog3

ADOT Traffic operator Jayson Winter took care of the dog overnight after she was rescued from SR 51.

The Arizona Equine Rescue Organization heard about the story and offered to provide a safe, quiet home for the dog while her owners are being located. If the owner cannot be found, AERO will facilitate finding the right home for the pup, which they’ve decided to call Dottie (you know, as a shoutout to ADOT)!

As happy as this ending is, we can’t forget that many animals who gain access to the freeway system aren’t as lucky as Dottie.

Drivers who see a dog (or any other type of animal) on the highway should call 911. Motorists should NOT get out of their vehicles and attempt to capture the animal, as that could pose a danger to themselves and other drivers.

Revisit our previous post for more information on how to keep your pets safe and out of the roadway. If you’re in the mood for another animal rescue story, you can read about the time two ADOT employees rescued a dog from SR 260.