Rocky Point wildlife underpass near Montpelier will let migrating deer cross US‑30 safely

# What the Rocky Point underpass is Underpass is a new crossing project being finished along U.S. Highway 30, south of Montpelier in Bear Lake County, Idaho. It consists of three underpasses and extensive fencing on both sides of the highway designed to funnel migrating deer and other big game through safe passages beneath the road.

# Why the project was built Officials and conservation partners moved ahead with the crossing after repeated collisions in the corridor. Idaho Transportation Department public information officer Justin Smith said the state had been losing "at least 100 deer a year" at that location, which he estimated totaled roughly 1,000 animals over a decade. Beyond wildlife loss, officials point to the financial and safety costs of deer‑vehicle collisions for drivers and taxpayers.

# Funding and partners

The project is a collaborative effort that includes the Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the Idaho Conservation League, and Bear Lake County.

# How the crossing will work

# Context in Idaho and recent examples

# Official statements and next steps Matt Lucia, Idaho conservation manager at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, described Rocky Point as an example of agencies, conservation groups, sporting organizations, and local communities working toward the same goal. State transportation officials said they are studying other highway corridors with heavy wildlife presence and are open to additional crossings as Idaho's population grows.

Justin Smith framed the project primarily as a public safety measure: "Whether they are going through a construction zone or whether they are in a wildlife area, we want to keep people safe on our highways, and this is part of that effort."

March, which encourages state leaders and agencies to recognize and support wildlife corridors and crossings where appropriate and locally supported.

# Timing and immediate outlook Crews were nearing completion in late August 2026, with officials expecting full completion in the fall. With construction winding down and funding largely in place, the project moves into the phase where fencing and underpass openings will begin to guide migrating herds beneath US‑30 instead of across it.

# What to watch next

• Monitoring that documents how often deer and other species use the underpasses.
• Whether the project comes in under budget and any returned federal funds.
• State decisions about additional crossings on other corridors identified as high risk for wildlife collisions.