Protection for wildlife impacts road construction schedule in northeastern Minnesota

A number of highway and road construction projects in Cook County and the North Shore area have been impacted by rules and regulations specific to wildlife, including the Northern long-eared bat.

Among the projects are the Pike Lake Road reconstruction and more recent repairs made on Scenic Highway 61 near Two Harbors.

Impacts to these projects include when, where, and how trees can be cut for road construction. Other impacts include where roads new roads can be built, the type of vehicles that can use the roads, and more.

Chris Smith is a wildlife ecologist with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. He spoke with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs about how various wildlife in northeastern Minnesota, from bats to lynx, can impact highway construction projects. Audio below.

Joe Friedrichs November 5, 2022