LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada transportation officials have completed dozens of tunnels and what are called turnarounds, to protect the federally-protected Mojave desert tortoise population, which is declining in southern Nevada.
The Nevada Department of Transportation has built 57 crossings throughout southern Nevada, including 15 locations around Searchlight that were completed in March as part of federally funded road improvements.
Tortoise behavior drives crossing design
Mojave desert tortoises wander across roads while searching for food, water and mates, putting them in the path of vehicles.
“Coyote Springs section of the 93, we have significant numbers of tortoise kills by vehicles as they try to range across the road,” said Glen Church, a longtime tortoise biologist with NDOT…