By Ann Briggs

They’re big, beautiful and majestic, but when they wander onto high-speed highways the results can be deadly; we’re talking about elk. Weighing in at more than 500 to 700 pounds, elk pose a serious safety risk for drivers and passengers in vehicle-wildlife collisions.

As part of an ongoing project, we’ve been studying wildlife crossings under Interstate 90 since 2010 in the North Bend area, where the number of elk-vehicle collisions has been increasing. On average, 16 elk-vehicle collisions have been recorded in this area each year over the past five years. In addition to tracking a growing urban elk herd, during this research we learned that one of two wildlife crossings in this area had the highest black bear use documented for any highway crossing structure in North America.

We’re developing plans to install an 8-foot-high fence along I-90 in the North Bend area. While a fence is an effective way to prevent collisions, it also blocks normal wildlife migration and may interfere with their access to habitats and food needed for survival. We use motion-triggered cameras at bridges and culverts to learn what species use these safe passages to cross under the interstate and how frequently. The information is vital to developing an effective project design that allows for safe wildlife crossings and addresses fencing needs.

All was well until Nov. 10, when we discovered that nine cameras in three locations had been stolen. The value of the stolen cameras, along with their protective steel boxes, media cards, rechargeable batteries and shielded padlocks, is estimated at $7,000. This is one of the biggest losses the program has experienced. Unfortunately, it’s brought our monitoring of structures in the North Bend area to an end; we’ve taken down all remaining cameras to prevent further loss to taxpayers.

A person of interest

We discovered that one camera, mounted in a tree not far from a stolen camera, photographed a person of interest carrying a long steel bar, his face covered by a bandana. We’d like to know who he is so that we can ask him some questions. If you recognize this person or have any other information, please call Kelly McAllister, WSDOT wildlife biologist, at 360 705-7426.

In the meanwhile, we’ll use the data we’ve gathered so far to move this important safety project forward. The fencing project is currently unfunded.

By guest blogger Meagan McFadden

More communication tools on the road means you will have an easier time planning your trip on Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass. We have been adding features and improving communications from North Bend to Ellensburg for the past three years.

Recently, crews installed fiber optic cable to extend reliable communication to weather stations and highway message signs in locations that have been hard to reach along the I-90 corridor. Three new electronic signs will provide current travel times between specific destinations. Eastbound travelers will see two new signs, one near North Bend and the other near the summit of Snoqualmie Pass. Westbound travelers will see a new sign near Easton.

We installed five Highway Advisory Radio transmitters to provide drivers with quick, accurate information across a broader area regarding traffic and weather conditions on 1610 AM and 530 AM radio.

We replaced the worn out faces on the electronic message signs between North Bend and Easton making the messages easier to read.

By the end of July, we will be unveiling the new travel time signs and other upgrades. Combine these tools and updates with the flow maps on our What’s Happening on I-90 web page, our Travel Alerts and the Snoqualmie Mountain Pass pages and you have an entire tool kit to help plan your trip over Snoqualmie Pass in all seasons.