View entire map This project builds a wildlife fence on US 97A north of Rocky Reach Dam in eastern Chelan County.
View entire photo This one-way gate allows access for people and lets wildlife caught below the fence to push through, back uphill to their usual habitat.
View Entire Photo Bighorn sheep on the highway create a hazard for motorists.
View Entire Photo Cattleguard's like this allow vehicles to cross, but the wildlife won't.
View Entire Photo A "pole setting" ceremony kicked off construction with the groundbreaking at Rocky Reach Dam July 21, 2009
Stage 1 Complete December 2009
Construction of stage 1 - the first 4-1/2 miles - began July 16, 2009 and was complete December 3. (Stage 2 will be be built in two years.)
In an effort to ensure access through the fence for the public, there are 11 one-way push gates. Most of these gates are installed in draws and spaced about every 2,000 feet. In addition to use by sportsman, these gates only swing one-way - uphill. They are designed for wildlife that get below the fence to be able to get back up hill to their habitat.
The fence runs from MP 207.98 to MP 212.10. All construction is on the west (uphill) side of US 97A, most of it within WSDOT right of way.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Rocky Reach Dam July 21. Read the
news release.
Stage 2 will complete the fence between MP 203.13 and MP 207.98, where the first stage began (another 4.5 miles).
Both stages of the project will incorporate an all-steel, 8-ft tall wildlife fence design - the first major steel post fence project of its kind in Washington. The selection was based on the longer lifespan, ease of construction, and wildfire survivability of steel posts versus wooden ones. The steel costs more, but installation is cheaper, so the total cost stays about the same. The fence design includes one-way gates and cattle guards for access roads.
The
Wenatchee Sportsmen's Association has a website that includes a comprehensive frequently asked questions (FAQ) section describing how the fence affects behavior of deer and bighorn sheep.
The two stages of this safety enhancement project install 8-miles of 8-foot tall wildlife fence on the west side of US 97A from Rocky Reach Dam to north of Spencer Canyon (MP 203 to MP 212) in Chelan County.
Why is WSDOT
installing wildlife fencing on US 97A?
This corridor has one of the highest mule deer and big horn sheep mortality rates in Washington. As many as 160 deer are reported killed along the highway during a severe winter between Wenatchee and Chelan. In the past year, 13 Bighorn sheep have been killed. By installing fence along this high wildlife kill section below the Swakane Wildlife Area, it is anticipated that a 50% reduction in the total vehicle-wildlife collisions for the entire corridor can be achieved.
The End Result
The objectives of this project are to improve the safety of motorists, reduce damage to vehicles, reduce collisions with bighorn sheep and mule deer, while maintaining access to public lands.
Project Benefits
- A significant reduction in vehicle-wildlife collisions.
- Increased safety for drivers.
- Protection of valuable wildlife.
What is the project timeline?
Stage 1 construction began July 16, 2009 and was complete December 3.
Stage 2 is scheduled to be built in 2012.
Financial Information
Stage 1 of this project was re-advertised for bids on May 11, 2009. Four qualified bids were opened on June 4. On June 8, contract #7770 was awarded to THG Construction, LLC for $844,530.50, $7,000 over the engineering estimate.
The total estimated cost for design and construction of both stages is approximately $2.6 Million.
The project is currently partially funded from the following partners:
- Wenatchee Sportman's Association: $10,000
- Seattle Sportsmen Conservation Foundation: $10,000
- Washington State, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep: $10,000
- State Farm Insurance: $5,000
- Mt. Vernon Mule Deer Foundation: $2,132
- Central Washington Mule Deer Foundation: $1,036
- Woodinville Mule Deer Foundation: $1,032
- Washington State Bowhunters: $1,000
- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: $462,000
- WSDOT Pre-Existing Gas Tax: $939,000
Total funding from all sources for stage 1: $1,441,000
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Mitch Reister, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-3000 or toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: reistem@wsdot.wa.gov
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