Directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state for wildlife crossings
This bill would create the “New York wildlife crossing act” and direct the Department of Transportation, working with the New York State Thruway Authority and in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Motor Vehicles, to identify locations where wildlife crossings are most needed along state highways, bridges, culverts, roadways, parkways, and thruways. The bill defines wildlife crossings broadly to include structures such as culverts, bridges, underpasses, overpasses, and associated fencing designed to help animals safely cross transportation corridors.
The bill requires the state to use collision data, habitat connectivity needs, environmental considerations, and other relevant information to develop and maintain a prioritized list of wildlife crossing opportunities. It also directs DOT to incorporate that list into its capital program and transportation improvement planning, evaluate wildlife crossing feasibility on applicable projects, and include crossings or mitigation measures where practicable. If a crossing is not feasible, DOT must provide a written explanation, and the agency must later publish and periodically update a public list of the top opportunities, including feasibility information and available federal grant funding.
The bill would add a new planning and design requirement to state transportation project development by requiring wildlife connectivity to be considered during scoping, environmental review, design, and capital programming. It would affect DOT and the Thruway Authority most directly, while also involving DEC and DMV in data sharing and consultation. The bill would not mandate construction in every case, but it would create documentation and public reporting obligations when wildlife crossings are not included and would require updates to the Highway Design Manual to reflect wildlife passage concepts by July 1, 2028.
Based on the bill text and its procedural posture, the measure appears to have a generally positive conservation and public-safety framing. It is presented as a transportation planning and habitat connectivity bill rather than a regulatory restriction, emphasizing reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions, improved motorist safety, and access to federal grant funding. There are no recorded votes or committee transcripts in the provided materials, so there is no evidence here of formal opposition or support beyond the bill’s introduction and referral.
The main potential point of contention is cost and feasibility. The bill repeatedly allows DOT to decline inclusion of wildlife crossing infrastructure where it is not feasible, and it requires written explanations citing cost, engineering constraints, or environmental considerations. Another likely issue is how priority sites are selected and whether the required data, mapping, and public reporting could add administrative burden or delay project delivery. Supporters would likely emphasize safety, conservation, and grant opportunities, while skeptics may focus on project costs, design complexity, and whether the mandate could constrain transportation planning.