The government of New Brunswick is looking into the possibility of implementing “wildlife reduction reflectors” as a budget-friendly method to decrease moose-related accidents.
Chuck Chiasson, the province’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, expressed his intention to install reflective posts along Route 17 next year, specifically between Saint-Quentin and Saint-Léonard.
According to Chiasson, these reflectors, which enhance visibility along the roadside, would be placed 30 metres apart, making it easier for motorists to spot large animals during nighttime.
“Even with the measures that have already been implemented, there has not been a noticeable decline in the number of collisions year after year,” he noted.
Chiasson mentioned that there has been a slight uptick in moose collisions from 2020 to 2025, even with the province maintaining 330 kilometres of fenced roads.
The province’s minister of transportation and infrastructure noted that he drew inspiration from Maine, where wildlife reduction reflectors are set up in three separate locations. (Submitted by Eric Ham)
He is uncertain about the exact cost of the reflectors but estimates they would be relatively inexpensive compared to fencing, which costs around $160,000 per kilometre.
He also believes that fencing may not always be the best solution.
“Moose and other wildlife naturally migrate, and if you confine them to a small area with fencing, it can negatively impact the biodiversity of the herd,” he remarked.
“During the wildfires, we had to take down a significant amount of fencing to allow the animals to pass through… we just replaced it this past summer, and it was expensive.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson highlighted the high cost of fencing and its potential adverse effects on wildlife biodiversity. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Chiasson mentioned that discussions with Maine have been ongoing, where reflectors are installed in three different regions.
Eric Ham, the senior environmental manager at the Maine Department of Transportation, indicated that, similar to New Brunswick, moose pose a “significant risk to travelers in Maine.”
He believes that since the installation of the reflectors in 2008, they have had a positive impact, even without concrete data to support this claim.
Since 2008, Maine has utilized reflective posts to help lower wildlife collision rates. (Submitted by Eric Ham)
“We believe they serve a valuable purpose,” he stated. “If they prevent even one or two serious accidents each year, they are worth the investment.
“At the very least, they encourage drivers to be more cautious when navigating these areas.”
Chiasson noted that the province monitors moose collisions, which would facilitate the assessment of the reflectors’ effectiveness.
He also indicated that his department plans to engage with the community for their input.