Maine’s First Ever Turtle Tunnel is a Success

So many of us drive on New England roads and have had to slam on their breaks to avoid cute little or big turtles crossing. Many of us have also stopped and grabbed the little guy to put him safely on the side of the road.

Now, you may not have to do that anymore, because they have their own secret tunnel! Oh yes, I am talking about Maine’s very first ever turtle tunnel and it’s working, according to the Maine Monitor. 

The tunnel is set beneath a stretch of Route 326 in Eliot, where many turtles have met their demise due to traffic.

Beneath the Road, Maine’s First Turtle Tunnel Is Making a Difference

According to the article, it’s a specially designed wildlife tunnel that has already decrease turtle deaths along what was once known as a “highway of death” for our shelled friends.  

As per the article, last summer, cameras captured really cool footage of a Blanding’s turtle strolling through.

You can watch that below via The Maine Monitor on YouTube.

The tunnel was installed in 2021, as per the report.

It is 8 feet wide and 6 feet tall and was created all to help turtles survive and safely move between wetlands. 

And the results of the tunnel have been a mega win. Survey’s show that the drop has been massive in turtle mortalities in the area according to biologists with Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. 

So many of us have absolutely no idea that turtle tunnels even exist and get this, tens of thousands of cars pass over it every year, while underneath, little turtles and other creatures are quietly making their way across.  

The project was mostly funded by Maine DOT and costs $400,000 as part of environmental mitigation efforts and it’s working!