FY2024 wildlife crossing pilot program (WCPP) - US 64 wildlife crossing grant: rescuer (red wolf essential survival crossings under evacuation route).

The Federal Highway Administration awarded the North Carolina Department of Transportation $700,000 on January 7, 2026, under the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (CFDA 20.290) to install multiple wildlife underpass structures and fencing along US 64 in Dare County, North Carolina.

The project, titled "US 64 Wildlife Crossing Grant: RESCUER (Red Wolf Essential Survival Crossings Under Evacuation Route)," will construct wildlife crossings across approximately 2.5 miles of US 64 from east of the East Lake Community to west of SR 1169 (Robertson Landing Road) within the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The work aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, support the red wolf recovery program, and increase habitat connectivity for endangered red wolves, black bears, and white-tailed deer. US 64 serves as a hurricane evacuation route on the Albemarle Peninsula, making the project relevant to both wildlife management and emergency transportation operations.

The period of performance extends from the award date through May 1, 2033. This is a Project Grant assistance type. Place of performance is North Carolina.

Project description

US 64 wildlife crossing grant: rescuer (red wolf essential survival crossings under an evacuation route). Install multiple wildlife crossings along US 64 from east of the east lake community to west of SR 1169 (robertson landing road) in dare county. The project length is approximately 2.5 miles and is located within the alligator river national wildlife refuge. US 64 is also a hurricane evaluation route on the albemarle peninsula. With the wcpp grant, NCDOT will install multiple wildlife underpass structures and fencing along US 64. The purpose of the project is to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, support the red wolf recovery program, and increase habitat connectivity for wildlife within the refuge, including the endangered red wolf, black bear, and white-tailed deer. Grant number: wcpp-26-0004-NC.