Letter: Let’s build more wildlife crossing sites in Maine

SUN JOURNAL • June 8, 2026

In Maine alone, 5,000 large animals are hit by cars every year. From salamanders to deer, any collision between an animal and a car is bound to leave the driver rattled and the animal in bad shape. Thankfully, wildlife crossings, which utilize bridges and tunnels to give animals designated spaces to cross our roadways, offer a solution. The 2021 Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which granted Maine millions of dollars for construction of a crossing in Caribou, is set to expire in September without congressional action. With support from representatives like Chellie Pingree, we could take a step in the right direction, renewing the program, building more wildlife corridors across our state and making the world a little bit safer for humans and animals alike. ~ Dahlia Stebbins-Sharpless, Portland