How many times have you come across a dead animal along the side of the road that another driver has hit? Animals are killed every day by drivers when they try to cross simple streets or even major highways to get to the other side; to the rest of their habitat. Human beings are also hurt and even killed by these accidents. This comes from roads infringing on animal habitat and dividing up the land. It makes it difficult on the animals, especially when their homes become smaller, the resources to live become less, and the unfamiliarity of man-made machines. The fragmentation of the habitat at ground level is what causes the majority of the road crossings. The resources of the animals have decreased. Roads were built right on and thru these animals’ habitats and they are suffering as a result of it.

            Efforts are now being made to retrofit stretches of roads with wildlife corridors. These corridors are supposed to guide the animals off the road and even to an area that allows them to cross if they wish to. It is an infrastructure being put into place to protect both the wildlife and human beings. Some are complaining of the costs of retrofitting the roads; but it is said better late than never as with other projects in the past like superfund cleanups. It is a good measure to be taken because it will decrease the slaughter of animals and increase the safety of people on the roads. Wildlife corridors need to be taken into consideration and be put into every new road plan for the future.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090623/OPINION/906230307/Wildlife-corridors-needed

http://www.effinghamherald.net/news/article/7503/

FDOT Planning for a Variety of New or Expanded Transportation Corridors that will most certainly affect Florida's Wildlife.  FDOT's corridor planning initiative is planning to designate as many as nine (9) new transportation corridors by December 31 of this year.

Not only is this happening in the last days of the current administration, but it is doing so without the benefit of local or regional growth and development visions. Although FDOT says it will only work the corridors through a three phase process that could take as long as two to four years before full approvals are given, it is very likely that these corridors will become the "default" vision for many parts of the state where growth management, land use planning, and/or visioning are limited at best.

Without an overall idea or concept from the state as to a future state buildout vision, these corridors could become the state's defacto vision for growth and development for the next 50 years and beyond. We feel the process is too far out in front of public and community thinking (no one has been asked up to this point).

The Action Plan identifies the vision, framework, and initial implementation activities to establish Florida’s Future Corridor Program. The Action Plan will be adopted by the Secretary of Transportation in December 2006, following a rapid period of public and partner review . The Action Plan will be updated as needed throughout 2007 as implementation of the Future Corridors Program begins.

Statewide transportation corridors are generally described as those corridors that connect Florida to other states, or that connect two or more economic regions in Florida.

• Major enhancements to existing statewide corridors, including re-use of the corridor to create exclusiveuse lanes for travelers willing to pay a toll, as well as for trucks, transit vehicles, or other types of trips; and

• Development of new statewide corridors.
These statewide corridor activities will be coordinated with the planning and development of existing and new regional corridors, which may serve as segments of these statewide corridors.

You can provide feedback comments to FDOT by going to: Draft Action Plan.

You can learn more about wildlife and transportation planning and design elements by going to:

Transportation Planning, Design and Management to Support Wildlife