Mitigating the impacts of expressway construction on wildlife

Expressways play a vital role in modern transportation infrastructure. Still, their construction, operation, and maintenance often result in adverse impacts on wildlife habitats, posing risks to both fauna and road users. Therefore, this study aims to investigate mitigation measures to reduce Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) due to the construction of Expressways. The study employs a qualitative method to collect data. A case study focused on the Southern Expressway and other operational expressways was conducted to identify and assess wildlife impacts. 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, including project directors, consultants, and environmental specialists, selected through a purposive sampling method. The collected data were analysed using manual content analysis in order to achieve the aim of the study. The research identifies five primary complications, further refined into eleven specific issues, emphasising the need to prioritise wildlife considerations in expressway design, enhance mitigation strategies during construction, and address administrative matters during operation. The study proposes solutions to mitigate wildlife impacts by analysing and evaluating information gathered through the aforementioned methods. Monitoring and record-keeping are highlighted as crucial elements for evaluating current strategies, with the research introducing new measures to reduce wildlife mortality and enhance road safety. Recognising the inherent challenges in achieving complete avoidance, the paper emphasises the importance of proactive measures to minimise these impacts, promoting the development of expressways that are both safer and ecologically conscious. The findings underscore the significance of integrating wildlife considerations into expressway planning and operations, contributing to sustainable transportation development.