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New overpass finished at Parleys summit — just for wildlife to cross I-80

The Utah Department of Transportation on Thursday completed an overpass just for wildlife — crossing six lanes of Interstate 80 — at the summit of Parleys Canyon.

In the past two years, 106 animals were struck and killed in that area — 98 deer, three moose, two raccoons, two elk and a cougar.

The overpass, about 50 feet wide and 320 feet long, is aimed at reducing these collisions. It has rocks, boulders and logs to mimic the surrounding landscape. Fencing has been placed on both sides of the freeway for 3.5 miles around the overpass to help funnel wildlife to it.