On a dim Saturday evening in late August, following an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves, the Chaleur Lightning hockey squad boarded their team bus en route back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled a startling moment when the bus driver suddenly gasped, leading to a collision with a moose on the highway just minutes into the journey. Fortunately, all team members and coaches emerged unharmed, except for minor scratches on the driver.
The encounter left an indelible mark on Ouellet and the team, similar to many New Brunswickers who have faced close encounters or collisions with large animals. The incident prompted Ouellet to reflect on the experience whenever traveling those roads, particularly during evening and nighttime hours.
Coincidentally, the province had announced plans to introduce two new wildlife crossings in the same area that very week. These crossings, known as wildlife tunnels, serve as preventive measures to deter moose from venturing onto roadways. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the placement of these structures is based on collision data analysis to identify high-risk areas.
Currently, 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are safeguarded on both sides with wildlife fencing. Despite these measures, the province has installed 82 wildlife crossings, including two new tunnels on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst. These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, are constructed from prefabricated concrete sections.
Studies conducted on earlier wildlife tunnels installed over 15 years ago revealed positive impacts, with various animals quickly adapting to the safe passages. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes emphasized the importance of designing intuitive tunnels to encourage animal use effectively.
Forbes observed that the tunnels cater not only to large mammals but also to a diverse range of wildlife, including beavers, ducks, bats, skunks, and raccoons. Although the Department of Transportation has not seen a significant decrease in collisions due to the tunnels, safety remains a top priority, with ongoing efforts to enhance road guidelines and implement additional mitigation strategies.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for increased fencing in the area but acknowledged the challenges of preventing every crash. He emphasized the importance of adopting proactive measures to mitigate risks and enhance safety on highways frequented by wildlife.
