Moose mitigation

The stretch of road between Muldoon and Fort Rich was fenced to keep moose of the road. (Brad Hillwig/KTUU-TV)

A moose group wants to put in a similar fence system near the Parks Highway. (Brad Hillwig/KTUU-TV)

It's estimated that 665 moose are hit on Alaska highways every year. (Brad Hillwig/KTUU-TV)

by Rebecca Palsha
Monday, April 2, 2007

WASILLA, Alaska -- Moose versus car: it's a situation hundreds of Alaskans run into every year.

But now, a big push is being made to make your drive home a little safer.

The Alaska Moose Federation estimates that 665 drivers hit moose on Alaska highways every year.

"Cars are getting smaller, moose aren't and the collision corridors are going to get worse if nothing is done," said Gary Olson with the Alaska Moose Federation.

Moose mitigation might save hundreds of animals and thousands of dollars.

"The best case in Alaska was Muldoon to Fort Rich. That corridor was fixed in 1986. That was the previous number one corridor and the moose have since have migrated beneath the road at Ship Creek using directional fencing," Olson said.

The group said the area along the Glenn Highway has seen a 95 percent drop in moose collisions because of the work. Now they're targeting the Mat-Su borough.

"You have some very bad corridors there, with Pitman Road and the Parks Highway," Olson said.

The federation wants to put in similar fencing for the stretch between Pittman Road and the Parks Highway.

The cost of the project hasn't been determined, but the group is hoping the Department of Transportation makes it a priority.

The Alaska Moose Federation estimates it costs drivers $1,500 when they hit a moose.

E-mail Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com