Government Advances Safety Measures to Improve Moose Sightings

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is taking steps to improve the visibility of moose along provincially operated highways.

On Monday Minister of Transportation John Abbott announced $5 million in funding.

Of the $5 million, $4 million is allocated for brush clearing and $1 million for moose fencing on provincially operated highways. The $4 million allocated for brush clearing represents a $2 million increase from last year.

A tender for moose fencing will be issued today and will include approximately two kilometres westbound of Route 90 and approximately four kilometres eastbound of Route 90. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year.

Government also provides 17 kilometres of moose fencing on the west coast near Stephenville, as well as the $30,000 annually for SOPAC’s Moose Sightings Hotline and public awareness campaigns.

The initiatives stem from collaboration with the Save Our People Action Committee.

Abbott said, “The safety of our travelling public on our highways is a top priority for our government, including mitigating moose-vehicle collisions. I am delighted to make this announcement to continue to enhance highway safety and reduce moose-vehicle incidents, as well as continue to build upon our own relationship with SOPAC. We are continuing to invest in additional brush clearing efforts, vegetation suppression and other sections of highway for moose fencing.”