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I-80 in Parleys Canyon to close two nights this week — to build Utah’s first-ever bridge just for wildlife

Imagine 106 fatal accidents in two years along one short stretch of freeway — and the public howl that might result to demand improvements.

Actually, that occurred the past two years around Parleys Summit on Interstate 80, but the fatalities were wildlife: 98 deer, three moose, two raccoons, two elk and a cougar all struck and killed by vehicles.

The continuing road kill there in recent years did spur a public call for improvements — and the Utah Department of Transportation is responding by building its first-ever bridge just for wildlife there, a different kind of pedestrian.