Innovative Wildlife Crossings for Denver’s Perilous I-70 West

The journey out of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/calatrava-unveils-rail-station-at-denver-international-airport/" target="_blank">Denver</a> west on the I-70 is a beautiful and scenic drive, but it's also one that's fraught with peril for drivers, and more importantly, for wildlife. The corridor between Denver and the resort communities of Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge, is an important migration path for black bears, cougars, bobcats, deer and an array of other animals, but over time, this area has become an increasingly dangerous place for them to cross. To bring some relief to the animals, a number of architects have designed the next generation of innovative wildlife crossings that are both attractive, effective and appropriately <a href="http://inhabitat.com/leed-platinum-and-green-roofed-sap-america-headquarters/" target="_blank">landscaped with native vegetation</a>.

<h3>Landshape by Zwarts &amp; Jansma</h3> </br> The Landshape wildlife crossing is based on the concept of three curves - the first connects the vegetation on either side of the highway, the second curves away from the road forming the bridge, and the third curves up to protect the animals from the road.

<h3>Landshape by Zwarts &amp; Jansma</h3> </br> The bridge utilizes proven technologies for construction and materials, but integrates the natural landscape and curves to keep the animals safe.

<h3>Wild (X)ing by The Olin Studio</h3> </br> Wild (X)ing utilizes a lightweight modular system of rhombic pieces to create the arched bridge to cross the interstate.

<h3>Wild (X)ing by The Olin Studio</h3> </br> The modular units are used as like in some green roofs and each are planted with a variety of native plants and trees.

<h3>Wildlife Crossing by Janet Rosenberg &amp; Associations</h3> </br> This crossing system provides multiple pathways and variations for crossing rather than just one single path. The lightweight structure also minimizes the footprint size on either side of the interstate.

<h3>Wildlife Crossing by Janet Rosenberg &amp; Associations</h3> </br> The crossing structure was designed keeping in mind the animal's perspective. The structure of the crossing is red in color, which registers as gray to most species, but is clearly perceived as red to humans.

<h3>hypar-natur by HNTB Engineering with MVVA</h3> </br> hypar-natur is a modular system of hypar forms that allow for minimal site disturbance and easy creation, assembly, and deployment. It can be easily expanded or adapted to meet migration an changes in migration and capacity.

<h3>hypar-natur by HNTB Engineering with MVVA</h3> </br> A forest and various other natural features, like wetlands and meadows would be created to blend the crossing into the surrounding ecosystem.

<h3>Modular Crossing System by Balmori Associates</h3> </br> The MCS wildlife crossing is a freeform timber structure that is constructed out of modular parts made from beetle kill pine found in the surrounding mountains of Colorado.

<h3>Modular Crossing System by Balmori Associates</h3> </br> The bridge is designed as a wide continuous beam whose section height varies with stress demands. The structural system is designed with a high redundancy and robustness without any joints.