First of its kind tunnels built for salamander road crossing

A Jefferson Salamander is shown beside newly built tunnels to allow it to cross the road safely in Richmond Hill, Ont. (York.ca)

An endangered species is now being protected thanks to a special road crossing dedicated just for them.

To allow Jefferson Salamanders to make the trek from their winter homes to their summer breeding grounds, York Region built a specialized tunnel system last summer to allow for safe travel.

The problem for the tiny, slithery creatures was their winter and summer homes are located on opposite sides of the road, so it blocked the path.

The section of road on Stouffville Road between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street in Richmond Hill was historically shut down at nighttime every summer and fall during breeding seasons.

The newly built tunnels offer a long-term solution.

“The salamanders are an excellent indicator of healthy forests and ecosystems in this community,” says Gerard Sullivan, an Environmental Specialist with York Region Public Works.

Over the years, researchers examined the species including travel patterns, movements, range and genetics and were able to put that information to good use with the build of new tunnels.

Construction crews cut open the road and installed two plastic tunnels, along with exclusion fencing which created a path to guide the salamanders towards the tunnels.

The region, part of the Oak Ridges Moraine, is one of the few known populations of Jefferson Salamanders outside of the Niagara Escarpment.

York Region officials say the small lizard-like creatures picked the Stouffville Road area as their habitat for the quiet forests, rocky outcrops, wetlands, ponds and pools.

The project was completed by the Regional Municipality of York in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as well as support from the community.