Alma Bridge Road Newt Passage Project

Project Goals:

The 2021 Study built upon on several years of community science data collection. Since their monitoring began in 2017, they have recorded over 27,000 newts killed on the roadway.

Although Midpen does not have jurisdiction over Alma Bridge Road (Santa Clara County owns and maintains the road and right-of-way), we are committed to working with the County and other regional partners to identify corrective actions, provide funding and support the implementation of long-term solutions to reduce road-related newt mortality. 

Potential interventions currently under investigation include, but are not limited to:   

• at-grade amphibian crossing(s) embedded in the road surface  
• retrofitting existing culvert(s) to enhance newt movement   
• elevated road section(s) to allow passage of migrating newts beneath the roadway   
• directional fencing to guide animals to potential crossing-improvement(s).

Additional information about this project can be found in the informational item from the March 9, 2022, Board of Directors Meeting which includes a copy of the signed Cooperative Agreement between Midpen and Santa Clara County detailing how the agencies are working together to provide wildlife passage across Alma Bridge Road.

Find out more about newts!