A deer on the shoulder of Highway 97 Wednesday morning hit by a car, the latest of nearly one hundred deer that are killed each year on a four mile stretch of Highway 97 south of Bend.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is now working on Oregon's first deer crossing.
While expanding the Highway to four lanes ODOT looked into the impact the change would have on wildlife. Results show an underpass designed specifically for deer would be a safe solution for both motorists and animals.

"The natural terrain that exists here and it's under ability, ya know getting away from traffic should be inviting for the animals. Something had to be done, this is a very busy stretch of Highway," said Peter Murphy with ODOT.

There will be a four mile long fence to guide the wildlife toward the underpasses. The terrain will be as natural as possible to make the deer feel comfortable. The two crossings together cost 1.5 million dollars and are part of ODOT's 20 million dollar Lava Butte Project. A price some feel is too much.

"We've felt it was a bit humorous to spend that much money when we rarely see a deer on that road," said Gail Denham a Sunriver resident.

Gail and Dan Denham live in Sunriver commuting to Bend nearly everyday. They say they love the wildlife here in Central Oregon, but feel the project is expensive and may not work.

"You wonder who will spread the word to the deer..that's what we wonder," said Denham.

The second crossing will have access to Lava Lands Park and The Lava Caves with additional barriers there to separate cars from animals.

Next summer the addition should be ready for car travel with the entire project completed in 2011.