On a dark Saturday evening in late August, following an exhibition match against the Miramichi Timberwolves, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team found themselves on their team bus heading back to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled the moment when the bus driver suddenly gasped. “It happened within the first few minutes of the journey,” Ouellet recounted. “I glanced up and saw a figure ahead of us, followed by a loud bang.”
The team bus had a close encounter with a moose, resulting in a collision on the highway. Fortunately, Ouellet mentioned that all team members and coaches emerged unharmed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches. This incident, common among New Brunswickers who have faced similar encounters with large animals, left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team.
Coincidentally, during the same week, the province announced the addition of two new wildlife crossings along that particular highway stretch. These crossings, known as wildlife tunnels, are part of the province’s measures to prevent moose from straying onto roadways. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the placement of these mitigation measures is based on collision data provided by law enforcement.
With approximately 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways lined with wildlife fencing on both sides, the province aims to strike a balance between facilitating wildlife movement and ensuring road safety. Currently, there are 82 wildlife crossings, including two new tunnels recently installed on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst.
These wildlife tunnels, measuring over four meters in height and width, are constructed from 11 pre-fabricated concrete segments. Chiasson described them as spacious enough to accommodate vehicles as large as tractor-trailers. The effectiveness of these tunnels was validated by wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, who observed various animals utilizing them shortly after installation.
Forbes emphasized the importance of designing the tunnels to be user-friendly for animals, ensuring they can easily navigate towards the underpass. Not limited to large mammals like moose, these tunnels have seen a diverse range of wildlife passing through them, including beavers, ducks, bats, skunks, and raccoons.
Despite the implementation of wildlife tunnels, the Department of Transportation noted that collision rates have not significantly decreased. In 2024, there were 409 reported collisions, with 65 resulting in injuries and one fatality. Chiasson reiterated the department’s commitment to enhancing road safety through targeted mitigation strategies, which may involve brush clearing to improve visibility.
Looking ahead, Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area to further mitigate such incidents. Recognizing the challenges of completely preventing collisions, he emphasized the importance of proactive measures to minimize risks associated with wildlife encounters on highways.