On a late August Saturday night, following an exhibition game against the Miramichi Timberwolves, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team embarked on their journey back to Bathurst on the team bus. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled a moment when the driver suddenly gasped and moments later, a loud bang rang out as the bus collided with a moose on the highway. Fortunately, everyone on board, including the team and coaches, emerged unscathed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches.
The encounter with the wildlife left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team, akin to many others in New Brunswick who have faced similar situations with large animals. Reflecting on the incident, Ouellet mentioned that he would always remember it, especially during evening drives. Interestingly, that same week, the province announced plans to introduce two new wildlife crossings on that particular highway stretch.
The province employs various strategies to prevent moose from straying onto roads, such as wildlife fencing and crossings. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the decision on where to implement these measures is based on collision data collected by law enforcement to identify high-risk areas. Presently, both sides of 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways are shielded by wildlife fencing, with 82 wildlife crossings, including two new tunnels recently installed on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst.
These tunnels, over four meters tall and wide, are constructed using 11 pre-fabricated concrete segments, allowing even large vehicles to pass through. Wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes conducted research on the impact of these tunnels, noting that various animals, not just large mammals, utilize them. Despite the tunnels’ introduction, the Department of Transportation has not observed a substantial decline in collisions, with 2024 recording the highest number of incidents. Chiasson emphasized the department’s commitment to enhancing road safety through mitigation measures and exploring additional options like brush clearance.
Ouellet expressed a sense of comfort when driving through areas with moose fencing and expressed hope for further fencing installation in the region to minimize potential accidents. However, he acknowledged the challenge of completely preventing such incidents and emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate risks effectively.