Wildlife protection and migration routes secured by constructing wildlife crossings in Poland
The Challenge
In the face of development and construction, wildlife face threats to their migration routes. Building wildlife crossings into construction plans can help protect wildlife by allowing animals to move safely along their natural migration routes. On the S8 expressway in Poland, such a crossing not only protects animals but also serves as an agricultural passage, providing connectivity for residents and users of the DD-5a access road.
The Solution
The wildlife crossing was built as part of the extension of the S8 expressway between the Mazovian Voivodeship border and the Zambrow bypass, a modern animal crossing with a drainage system. The PG/PZ-12 engineering structure, located at km 571+951.82 of the S8 road, allows safe migration of wild animals and provides accessibility for local traffic serving as a passage for agricultural road.
The crossing is built with a soil-steel arch system, with its load-bearing structure formed by a single-radius arch made of corrugated steel plates.
To enhance durability and stability, the structure has been reinforced with additional ribs. It is also protected against corrosion through hot-dip galvanization (in accordance with PN-EN 1461) and an extra layer of internal paint to shield it from environmental factors.
The design of the crossing took into account the natural terrain, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The front walls are constructed as mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structures and finished with natural aggregate, enhancing both structural aesthetics and environmental harmony.
The ViaCon Advantage
The ecological wildlife underpass offered a number of benefits:
Technical specifications
Span: 22m
Height: 11m
Length: 40m
Plate thickness: 7 mm
Corrosion protection: Hot-dip galvanization and extra layer of internal paint
