This project is an engineering feasibility study for the replacement of the sixty-year-old, undersized Sixmile Creek culvert with two large open-span bridges: one for westbound traffic and one for eastbound traffic. These adjacent open-span bridges will provide an underpass that, when combined with wildlife exclusion fencing to funnel animals to the structure, is a proven tool to reduce WVCs while offering suitable and safe crossing opportunities for a host of terrestrial and aquatic species, including grizzly bears, black bears, elk, deer, and native fish. Wildlife fencing along both the east and west bound lanes of I-90 (totaling approximately 72,877linear feet) would funnel animals to the open-span bridges and to existing bridges over the Clark Fork River to the west. Additional wildlife features associated with this proposed project include jump-outs (approximately 24, or every ¼ mile), double cattle guards, and electric mats at Huson and Ninemile interstate exchanges.
