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Bill

S 3503

Wildlife Road Crossing Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Martin Heinrich and 1 co-sponsor

Bill extends federal funding for wildlife highway crossing infrastructure to reduce animal-vehicle collisions and maintain habitat connectivity across the United States.

Introduced in Senate
1
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3503

Legislative bill overview

S 3503 reauthorizes the Wildlife Road Crossing Program, which funds infrastructure projects designed to help wildlife safely cross highways and roads. The bill extends federal support for wildlife crossing structures like overpasses, underpasses, and fencing that reduce animal-vehicle collisions while allowing animal populations to move between habitats.

Why is this important

Wildlife-vehicle collisions cause approximately 1-2 million animal deaths annually in the U.S., creating safety hazards for drivers, property damage costs, and ecosystem fragmentation that threatens species survival. Reauthorization ensures continued federal funding for states and organizations to implement proven crossing solutions, particularly important as habitat loss increasingly forces wildlife to cross roadways.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding allocation and priority areas: Disagreement over which regions, species, or road types receive federal funding, with potential tension between Western states (where wildlife corridors are extensive) and other regions
  • Cost-benefit analysis: Questions about program cost-effectiveness compared to other wildlife conservation priorities, and whether federal dollars should fund what some view as primarily state infrastructure responsibilities
  • Development restrictions: Concerns that designation of wildlife crossing areas could limit future road expansion, commercial development, or land use flexibility in affected regions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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