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Help animals cross HWY 401 — safely

Southern Ontario has the highest density of roads in Canada — there is no point further than 1.5 km from a road.

"Wildlife crossings are a win-win for people and nature - they help restore the ability of wildlife to move freely across the landscape while keeping motorists safe from collisions."

Dr. Patricia Cramer, Wildlife Connectivity Institute

When Instinct Meets Asphalt

For generations, animals such as moose, black bears, and turtles have been on the move, instinctively crossing age-old pathways to find food, mates, and new homes. 

 

But we've bisected these movement patterns with roads, creating walls of fast-moving traffic and making it near impossible for animals to move safely.

 

This has led to a significant increase in collisions between vehicles and wildlife, posing a serious threat not only to wildlife populations but also to driver safety. 

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The Frontenac Arch is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This continentally significant corridor provides the best remaining potential for wildlife movement in eastern North America.

The Ontario government plans to widen Highway 401 from four to eight lanes through the heart of the Frontenac Arch. This expansion provides a rare opportunity to push for wildlife crossings so that both drivers and wildlife are kept safe.

The section of Hwy 401 between Gananoque and Mallorytown is currently under review and will be open for public comment in mid-September. Be a part of the solution and advocate for wildlife in the Frontenac Arch.

The decisions made today will shape the landscape for the next 75 years, the typical lifespan of this infrastructure. Let’s make sure the Frontenac Arch remains a bridge — not a barrier — for wildlife.

Working together for Wildlife

Dozens of organizations are committed to ensuring safe passage for wildlife in the Frontenac Arch. Together we are building public awareness for the need for wildlife crossings to reconnect this critical habitat.

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