On a late August Saturday night, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team completed an exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves and began their journey back to Bathurst on the team bus. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled a sudden gasp from the driver shortly after departure. Ouellet described a moment when the bus collided with a moose on the highway, causing a loud impact. Fortunately, all team members and coaches emerged unscathed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, similar to many others in New Brunswick who have faced similar incidents involving large animals. Ouellet expressed heightened awareness while traveling those roads, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Coincidentally, the province announced plans to install two new wildlife crossings on the same highway stretch that week.
To deter moose from straying onto roadways, the province utilizes wildlife fencing and crossings, including tunnels. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the decision on where to implement these measures is based on collision data analysis. While extensive wildlife fencing lines 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways, Chiasson emphasized the need for non-intrusive methods to allow wildlife to move through their habitats.
New Brunswick currently boasts 82 wildlife crossings, such as concrete tunnels under highways, with two recent installations on Route 8. These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, facilitate safe animal passage. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes noted the success of previous installations, observing various animals utilizing the tunnels shortly after their introduction.
Forbes highlighted the intuitive design of the tunnels to guide animals safely. Not limited to large mammals, the tunnels accommodate a wide range of wildlife species. Despite the presence of wildlife crossings, the Department of Transportation has not observed a significant decrease in collisions. Chiasson emphasized the ongoing efforts to improve road safety through strategic mitigation measures and enhanced maintenance practices.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area to enhance safety but acknowledged the challenges in preventing all collisions. While recognizing the limitations, Ouellet emphasized the importance of proactive measures to mitigate risks on the roads.