Wildlife & Traffic
10 Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure
Contents
Maintenance of viaducts, wildlife and multiuse underpasses
INSPECTION TASKS
To check
- Materials are in good condition.
- Appropriate drainage is provided to prevent permanent flooding or pooling.
- No human misuse is found such as storage of agricultural machinery or materials, livestock stabling, human settlements, etc.
- In multiuse underpasses, provisions to make human and wildlife uses compatible (guiding fences, informative panels, etc.) are appropriately maintained.
- Fences are correctly anchored to the underpass side walls and to the upper screen.
- Components of the upper screen to reduce disturbances remain in good condition and any perimeter fences maintain continuity with the screen.
- Vegetation height, composition and patch design is consistent with the standards.
- No Invasive Alien Species are found.
- No debris or other objects pose obstacles or prevent the appropriate use of the wildlife crossing.
- Any refuges for fauna such as stumps or stone rows are in good condition in accordance with standards provided.
SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE TASKS
To do
- Structural features and uses
- Maintain or restore entrance areas to ensure these are free of obstacles to fauna movements and appropriately connected with the surrounding habitats.
- Replace any elements damaged by vandalism.
- In wildlife underpasses where no human use is planned, maintain appropriate state of the structures located at the entrances to avoid access of people and vehicles (large rocks, tree trunks or any other barrier)
- Periodically clean, fix, repair or replace any informative panels and signs.
- Fences and screens > see Sheet 1
- Replace broken or deformed meshes and any damage on screens.
- Reinforce the anchorage of the mesh to the ground and poles when needed. If a reinforced mesh is already present, ensure it is well attached to the lower part of the fence.
- Vegetation and fauna refuges > see Sheet 12
- Undertake mowing, pruning and other vegetation management according to standards provided.
- Remove vegetation debris that could obstruct the passage.
- Remove any Invasive Alien Species found.
- Maintain in appropriate condition any structure to provide refuge to fauna (e.g. rows of stone or tree stumps).
SCHEDULE
- Minimum: once a year, just before seasonal migrations or periods when target species movements are increased.
- Mowing and pruning vegetation should be scheduled according to local conditions.
- Additional inspections should be planned following floods, strong winds, snow or other adverse weather events.
Maintenance of ecological assets on transport linear infrastructure