To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the wildlife crossings program.

Legislative bill overview

HR 6078 proposes to extend the authorization period for the wildlife crossings program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The bill would allow continued federal funding and implementation of projects designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by creating safe passage structures like overpasses and underpasses across roadways.

Why is this important

Wildlife crossings address a concrete problem: over 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually in the U.S., resulting in approximately $8.5 billion in damages and human fatalities. The program also supports ecosystem connectivity and habitat preservation by allowing animal populations to move safely across fragmented landscapes, which has conservation benefits for biodiversity.

Potential points of contention

• Cost-benefit debates: Opponents may question whether federal funding for wildlife infrastructure represents the most efficient use of transportation dollars compared to other road safety or infrastructure priorities
• State versus federal authority: Questions may arise about whether wildlife management and road design are appropriate federal responsibilities versus state/local decisions
• Implementation effectiveness: Questions about which projects receive funding, whether they actually reduce collisions and animal deaths as intended, and how success is measured across diverse ecosystems