Motorists driving down S.R. 224 might be surprised to see two moose calves standing near Swaner Preserve, but that’s kind of the point.
Summit County nonprofit Save People Save Wildlife recently erected the two new silhouettes on the roadway to memorialize the calves’ mother, who was killed at the site nearly a year ago. Just down the road, a tiny spotted fawn became an orphan only a few days after the sculptures went up.
Save People Save Wildlife volunteers estimate at least 28 animals — 22 deer, four elk and two moose — have been struck and killed on the drive from Kimball Junction to Kearns Boulevard to date.
The latest installations are a part of the effort to raise awareness about the high number of wildlife-vehicle collisions on the 6-mile stretch. Last year, Save People Save Wildlife installed silhouettes of other animals to bring attention to the problem using community-donated funds.
The nonprofit has been advocating for a wildlife overpass on S.R. 224 to help solve the conflict. The Utah Department of Transportation in April rejected the idea, but that hasn’t slowed the nonprofit down.
Save People Save Wildlife is now focused on raising money to fund an independent engineering assessment later this month that would determine a viable and feasible location for a crossing structure. It’s unclear how much a third-party study will cost. The nonprofit has raised at least $260,000 for its cause since forming in 2015.
“We are asking for donations to support the independent engineering study to assess this roadway,” the nonprofit said in a statement. “We are continuing the assessment where UDOT has failed to follow through and address based on their very own commissioned studies of this roadway.”
A 2019 study determined S.R. 224 is the fifth-highest location in the state for large wildlife fatalities with almost 3 vehicle-wildlife collisions per mile. The mile in front of McPolin Farm is the deadliest stretch of that road.
There are an estimated 30,000 trips along the roadway with little protection for animals crossing in the area. UDOT lowered the speed limit to 45 mph and placed signage to alert drivers to wildlife in the area. However, Save People Save Wildlife representatives have said it’s done little to actually address the issue.
Wildlife activists staged a demonstration along S.R. 224 in July calling on Park City and Summit County officials to do more. For example, an overpass with wildlife fencing would reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions by 90%.
State officials aren’t convinced it would accomplish the goal, though. It’s also expected to come with a multimillion-dollar price tag.
Still, Save People Save Wildlife wants UDOT and local officials to ensure every Utahn, both two and four-legged, be considered in the planning of any major infrastructure. There are other, smaller mitigation tactics such as fencing or cattle guards that could be used.