On a dim Saturday evening in late August, the Chaleur Lightning ice hockey squad had just finished an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded their team bus to return to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled hearing the driver gasp shortly after departure. “It happened within five minutes into the journey. I glanced up and saw a silhouette ahead of us, followed by a loud impact,” Ouellet described. The team bus had collided with a moose on the highway, but fortunately, all team members and coaches emerged unscathed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter with the large animal left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, a memory that will linger as they traverse those roads, especially during evening hours. Coincidentally, the same week, the province announced plans to introduce two new wildlife crossings on that particular highway section.
The province employs various strategies to prevent moose incursions onto roadways, such as wildlife fencing and wildlife crossings. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the placement of these measures is determined by analyzing collision data provided by law enforcement agencies. Presently, 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are shielded on both sides with wildlife fencing, alongside 82 wildlife crossings including two new tunnels on Route 8.
These wildlife tunnels, exceeding four meters in height and width, are crafted from 11 pre-fabricated concrete segments, allowing even large vehicles to pass through. The efficacy of such tunnels was confirmed over 15 years ago when similar structures were established on Route 7. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes noted that various animals, not just moose, utilize these underpasses, emphasizing the tunnels’ intuitive design to guide animals safely across the highways.
The Department of Transportation has yet to observe a significant reduction in collisions due to the tunnels, with the highest recorded collisions in 2024. Despite this, efforts continue to enhance safety measures to minimize accidents caused by wildlife crossings. Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area but acknowledged the challenges of completely preventing such incidents, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in mitigating risks on the road.