MassDOT to Build Wildlife Bridge Over Mass Pike

[12‑Jan‑2025] The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been awarded $1.7 million to replace an existing bridge crossing in Becket where the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) intersects the highway. This new bridge will offer separate and distinct areas for wildlife, pedestrians and hikers to safely cross the Mass Pike, in an area that sees a high number of collisions between drivers and deer. The AMC Western MA Chapter's A.T. Management Committee has been involved in this project for over a year. Jim Pelletier, the Natural Resources Coordinator on the committee, explains the role that it has played in the development of the bridge: "About a year ago, we were invited to a meeting of stakeholders related to the A.T. / Mass Pike bridges. At this meeting we became aware that MassDOT was considering replacement of the current bridges with a bridge (or bridges) that would accommodate wildlife as well as hikers crossing the Pike. After the meeting our A.T. Committee discussed this possible project and decided to offer our expertise to MassDOT to monitor how wildlife is using the area." "We partnered with the Berkshire Environmental Action Team to conduct periodic wildlife transects and to do trailcam monitoring in the area of the A.T. as it passed over both the Mass Pike and adjacent Rt 20. Our volunteers, including several who are certified wildlife trackers by Cybertracker North America, have spent many hours over the last year doing the transects and monitoring in the area with some very interesting results. We anticipate continuing that effort in the coming years as long as we can add some value to DOT's efforts." Sixteen wildlife crossing projects nationwide have received $125 million in grants from the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.