On a shadowy Saturday evening towards the end of August, the Chaleur Lightning hockey team had just finished a friendly match against the Miramichi Timberwolves and boarded the team bus to return to Bathurst. Assistant coach Alex Ouellet recalled the moment when the driver suddenly gasped while driving. “It happened within the first five minutes of our journey,” Ouellet recounted. “I glanced up and saw a figure in front of us, followed by a loud bang.”
The team bus had collided with a moose on the highway, but fortunately, Ouellet mentioned that everyone on board, including the team and coaches, escaped unharmed, except for the driver who sustained minor scratches. This incident, common among New Brunswickers who have encountered large animals on the road, left a lasting impression on Ouellet and the team.
Coincidentally, during the same week, the province announced the installation of two new wildlife crossings along that particular highway stretch. These crossings, known as wildlife tunnels, are part of the province’s efforts to prevent moose from straying onto roads. Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson explained that the decision on where to place these measures is based on collision data provided by law enforcement to identify high-risk areas.
Currently, extensive wildlife fencing lines both sides of 331 kilometers of New Brunswick highways to deter animals from wandering onto the roads. Despite the fencing, the province has also implemented 82 wildlife crossings, which are concrete tunnels beneath the highways in various locations. The two new tunnels on Route 8 between Miramichi and Bathurst, installed in the summer of 2026, are over four meters tall and wide, composed of 11 pre-fabricated concrete segments.
These tunnels have proven effective in guiding wildlife safely under the highways, as observed by wildlife ecologist Graham Forbes, who conducted research on the matter. Forbes emphasized the importance of making the tunnels intuitive for animals to use, noting that various species, not just large mammals, utilize these underpasses.
Although the Department of Transportation has not seen a significant reduction in collisions due to the tunnels, safety measures are continuously being reviewed and adjusted to minimize risks. Ouellet expressed hope for additional fencing in the area, acknowledging the challenges of completely preventing collisions but emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in ensuring road safety.