On a late August Saturday night, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team finished an exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded their bus back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled a sudden collision with a moose on the highway shortly after departure, causing a loud bang. Fortunately, the team and coaches emerged unscathed, except for minor scratches on the driver.
The encounter left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, a shared experience with many New Brunswickers who have faced similar incidents. The following week, the province announced the installment of two new wildlife crossings on the same highway stretch.
New Brunswick employs various strategies to prevent moose from venturing onto roads, such as wildlife fencing and tunnels. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that these measures are strategically placed based on collision data to address high-risk areas. Currently, 331 kilometers of highways in the province have wildlife fencing on both sides.
The province boasts 82 wildlife crossings, including two recently constructed tunnels on Route 8. These tunnels are spacious, measuring over four meters tall and wide, facilitating safe passage for wildlife. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes highlighted the effectiveness of these tunnels, noting that various animals, not just large mammals, utilize them.
Despite the tunnels’ success, the Department of Transportation has not observed a significant decline in collisions. Chiasson emphasized the department’s commitment to enhancing road safety through targeted mitigation measures and vegetation management. Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area but acknowledged the challenges of preventing every possible collision.
As the Chaleur Lightning team continues to travel through the region for games, Ouellet stressed the importance of proactive safety measures in mitigating wildlife-related risks on the highways.
