Oregonians Celebrate Passing Bill that Paves the Way for Safer Roads
House Bill 2978 will make it easier to build wildlife crossings
SALEM, OR — On April 30, 2025 the Oregon Legislature took a major step toward improving public safety and protecting wildlife as HB 2978 passed the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill will enhance the state’s ability to build wildlife crossings—overpasses and underpasses that allow animals to safely cross roads and highways—that have been shown to dramatically reduce dangerous and costly wildlife-vehicle collisions by as much as 90 percent or more.
“These roadway safety projects are a win-win for people and wildlife,” said Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham), who carried the bill to passage on the Senate Floor. “Safe transportation options and integrity of surrounding environments are both essential to a sustainable transportation system.”
Specifically, HB 2978 would conserve wildlife and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by strengthening the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) wildlife-vehicle collision program while increasing critical coordination between ODOT and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
HB 2978 builds on past investments by strengthening Oregon’s comprehensive program to plan and implement critical wildlife crossing projects. The bill enhances technical guidance for incorporating wildlife crossings into highway design, establishes a training program to boost agency expertise, identifies priority project areas, and fosters greater collaboration among the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and key stakeholders through the creation of a dedicated advisory group.
“During my time on the Fish and Wildlife Commission, I fought to support projects that benefit both people and our natural resources. HB 2978 is about using common sense and science-based planning to make our roads safer,” said Representative Bobby Levy (R-Echo). “I’m proud to keep working on solutions that respect both our communities and the wildlife we live alongside.”
Wildlife crossings have already proven successful by dramatically reducing or nearly eliminating collisions and creating safer crossings for elk, deer, and countless other species. For example, Oregon’s Lava Butte underpass near Bend reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions by more than 85 percent. They are also an effective and a good investment, yielding annual benefits of $250,000 to $443,000 per structure.
“This bill is about possibilities. It opens the door to a visionary approach to protecting our wildlife,” added Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Keizer, North Salem).
While HB 2978 will make it easier to build wildlife crossings, it does not provide the necessary money to build these life-saving projects. Oregonians are also urging the state legislature to allocate yearly funding through the transportation package.
“It is critical that we take the next step of adequately funding Oregon’s collision reduction program,” said Rep. Ken Helm (D-Beaverton), the Chief Sponsor who introduced HB 2978. “These projects are both popular and effective at preventing harm, while also saving money over time.”
If enacted, the requirements in HB 2978 will be a significant step toward increased state commitment to the reduction of wildlife vehicle collisions and improved wildlife habitat connectivity. Having passed both the House and Senate, the bill now heads to Governor Tina Kotek for her signature.
Community Support for House Bill 2978
“HB 2978 strengthens Oregon’s framework for improving motorist safety and facilitating wildlife passage. In Central Oregon, our roadways experience some of the highest densities of deer and elk vehicle collisions in the state—incidents that carry real consequences for both our communities and wildlife. We appreciate the Oregon Legislature’s continued commitment to this critical issue.”
- Jeremy Austin, Wild Lands & Water Program Director, Central Oregon LandWatch
"Recent studies have shown that wildlife-vehicle collisions in Oregon have an annual economic impact of more than $130 million in property damage, medical bills and the health of wildlife populations. HB 2978 ensures that our state has the finest public policy of any state to facilitate the construction of life-saving wildlife crossings over and under our roads and highways."
- David Ellenberger, Oregon Project Manager at Wildlands Network
“The passage of HB 2978 is an important and necessary step to safeguarding human safety and the safety of thousands of wildlife that die on our roads every year. Wildlife vehicle collisions risk human safety, and impact all wildlife species including species of greatest conservation needs. Strengthening interagency collaboration, partnerships, and training and guidelines will go a long way in reducing such collisions and improving the safety of both human and non-human communities.”
- Dr. Sristi Kamal, Deputy Director, Western Environmental Law Center
“HB 2978 will help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity at a time when avoiding vehicles is one of the biggest challenges to the survival of Oregon's wildlife. The legislation shows that Oregonians value a healthy and sustainable future, one in which the safety of both humans and wildlife is prioritized.”
- Colin Reynolds, Senior Advisor to the Northwest Program at Defenders of Wildlife
“H.B. 2978 will be a significant step for Oregon’s efforts to make the state’s roads and highways safer while improving wildlife habitat connectivity. The legislation will build on and improve the Oregon Department of Transportation’s existing wildlife-vehicle collision program, which was adopted in 2019, by identifying priority wildlife crossing projects and creating an advisory group to increase collaboration among state agencies and interested stakeholders. Pew thanks the Oregon Legislature for passing this important measure and looks forward to Governor Tina Kotek signing the bill into law.”
- Brett Swift, senior manager, U.S. Conservation project, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Fast Facts on wildlife crossings
Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions are Dangerous and Costly
→ Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a significant issue in Oregon, costing lives and money. Each year, there are over 7,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions in Oregon resulting in property damage, injury, and fatalities to motorists.
→ Research from June 2023 found that the average cost of a driver hitting one deer is more than $23,500 (in 2025 U.S.$), including costs associated with vehicle repairs, human injuries, human fatalities and lost wildlife. The study also found that Oregon’s wildlife-vehicle collisions result in an annual economic impact of more than $131 million.
→ A recent state farm insurance analysis found that Oregon has the highest likelihood of wildlife crashes among west coast states.
Impact to wildlife populations
→ Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that 14.5 million animals are killed on Oregon’s roads each year.
→ Migratory wildlife need to move seasonally, and highways can be barriers that restrict these essential movements. Oregon’s 79,045 miles of roadways impact healthy wildlife populations through wildlife-vehicle collisions as well as inhibit wildlife movement and migration.
Wildlife Connectivity Projects are the Solution
→ Wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots have been identified in numerous locations across the state, including along Highway 20 near Juntura, on highway 20 near Sisters, I-5 between Ashland and the OR-CA border, on I-84 near Meecham, and in several places on highway 97 in Central Oregon.
Public Support for Funding Wildlife Crossing Solutions
→ Because so many Oregonians are impacted by wildlife vehicle collisions, there is broad bipartisan support for wildlife crossings from voters across the state. A 2020 poll found 86% of Oregon voters want the state to build more overpasses and underpasses along major roads and highways that support safe passage of both wildlife and motorists.
