Underground toad road provides safer commute for small animals

Just beyond where the "wildlife crossing" signs become apparent lies a newly installed mode of transportation to keep New Jersey's threatened wildlife safe. Small animals have notoriously gotten hit while trying to cross River Road in Bedminster, so the township — with the help of the Department of Environmental Protection — installed a series of underground tunnels to help them get to the opposite side. "There have been instances where animals such as turtles and frogs have been hit by vehicles on River Road, which is very heavily traveled through Bedminster," said Caryn Shinske, public information officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. "This will allow smaller animals to cross." The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday the five tunnels, which run from the land next to the Raritan River to the grass and woods on the other side. Wooden fencing surrounds each tunnel entrance and lines the roadway, making the tunnels the only way for the animals to cross the road...more

Stay tuned to THE WESTERNER for all the latest news and analysis on toad roads, turtle turnpikes, frog freeways, lizard lanes and iguana interstates.  As a matter of moral principle we will not be be reporting on horny toad highways.