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Dec 26th, 2018 : Coyote Boulevard
People in Washington (the lovely state, not the den of iniquity) apparently like Coyotes. I suppose it could be empathy from
watching Wile E. get screwed by ACME Inc so many times. Or possibly because they look like dogs, man’s best friend, the worlds
best pet. Way better than the Devils spawn cats. 
...but I digress.
Interstate 90, near Snoqualmie Pass in central Washington, which shuttles traffic through the Cascade Mountains can be
a bumpy and dicey ride. The route is often hazardous and slippery with ice and snow, an average of around 330 inches a year.
Collisions are too often common.
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“This coyote safely crossed the highway,” the Washington State DOT tweeted, “avoiding traffic, anvils, ACME rockets & roadrunners!” In fact, the animal didn’t have to dodge speeding cars and trucks. In the video tweeted out by the DOT, there’s no trace of asphalt or cars—just dirt, trees, and mountains, and the edge of a bridge on the far right of the frame. The coyote was the first confirmed user of the state’s newest and largest wildlife bridge, which caters to furry quadrupeds, instead of the quad-wheeled bipeds who cross their paths. |
Human built roads cut through animal territory and trails they’ve use forever. Dirt roads weren’t a problem but paving produced
increased speeds, bent cars, and dead critters. As roads became wider and faster it reached a point where it’s suicide to try.
PA got 3300 requests for permits to eat roadkill deer this year, but that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the roadkill people
just take or Mother Nature recycles. Then there's critters who get run over eating critters that got run over.
| That’s where animal infrastructure comes in. But how, exactly, to get animals to buy in is a puzzle. Some animals prefer open-air crossings, while others are comfortable with tunnels, and preferences vary within a species. Researchers studying grizzlies in Banff National Park, for instance, found that bachelor bears were good to amble through culverts under roads, while families were more likely to use an overpass. |
| This part of Washington is expanding its highway system—and the number of potential animal crossings—as surrounding areas attract new human residents. The $6 million bridge, which arches 33 feet above the road, is 66 feet wide, and flanked by fencing to dampen noise from cars below. The DOT reports that there are several other overpasses planned or in the works, and that they will also be planted with trees and shrubs to emulate the natural environments on either side. That’s good news for the coyotes, and any other animals that have somewhere to be or just want to stroll safely. |
Gravdigr Wednesday Dec 26 12:25 PM
I've seen these things before.
Good, if expen$ive, idea.
blueboy56 Wednesday Dec 26 12:25 PM
Also, it make it safer to escape the zombies chasing you because you won't have to dodge traffic.
lumberjim Wednesday Dec 26 12:28 PM
now they just need to move all the DEER CROSSING signs over to the bridge, and deer will stop getting hit by cars.
Gravdigr Wednesday Dec 26 12:32 PM
Simple as that.
xoxoxoBruce Wednesday Dec 26 01:01 PM
Everything ACME supplied to Wile E. Coyote...
Gravdigr Wednesday Dec 26 01:32 PM
The bow-and-coyote must not have been from ACME. It's the funniest scene of all of them for me, when he tries to shoot himself at the roadrunner with that bow.
Gravdigr Wednesday Dec 26 01:34 PM
The rubber band was awfully funneh, too.
BigV Wednesday Dec 26 09:33 PM
Been through those tunnels many times, never over though - - not that wild.
In Sequim, there are looooong stretches of highway with elk-deterrent fencing. It goes right up the ramps and down again.
Undertoad Wednesday Dec 26 10:42 PM
From my childhood I believed that I would be seeing an awful lot more 10,000 lb weights when I grew up.
Also that quicksand would be a regular obstacle to be dealt with*
*that is an Adam Carolla-ism to be honest
BigV Thursday Dec 27 10:42 AM
Is that you, Wile E?
Flint Thursday Dec 27 01:57 PM
We all thought quicksand was going to be a major threat/concern.
Happy Monkey Saturday Dec 29 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce
People in Washington (the lovely state, not the den of iniquity) apparently like Coyotes.
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xoxoxoBruce Saturday Dec 29 01:52 PM
Yes, foxes seem to be taking over the cities, plenty of food and most people aren't terrified of them. Probably because their manner is more feline than canine.
Happy Monkey Saturday Dec 29 01:54 PM
Plus, we also have rabbits, and those with gardens especially appreciate the foxes.
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