In 2005 I was contacted by the head of the "Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project" to create some visualizations of a proposed wildlife bridge over I-70 near Vail pass. I knew nothing of the concept at the time other than that this had growing momentum to deal with wildlife migration and traffic safety in this area of Interstate 70. Efforts were gaining strength to find the funding and support to actually build such a structure. Similar structures were in place already in Canada.

  I was given a lot of free reign. SREP was an environmental group, not a design firm. SREP had already contacted Charles Overy, founder of LGM in Minturn, CO to create a physical model of the overpass, taking into account the geography of the site near mile marker 187.5. I was given reference of some of the Canadian overpasses and asked to create a 3D model and renderings. I also did several photosims, inserting my model into pictures taken at the site from the highway. This was a pro bono job and I was using the opportunity to create a real-time model as well behind the scenes. I might yet decide to upload that but the quality, though good for the day, is woefully embarrassing now.

  I was proud when my rendering appeared in a front page Wall Street Journal article (see below) even though the article was not about awesome 3D content created by DAS (sigh...)
This project has met with a lot of interest and challenges over the years. Many other firms and organizations have gotten their hands in the pot. Some links below provide some updates and background.

  In 2010 after many years of back and forth, a design competition was held to design the wildlife bridge. You can read more here: http://competition.arc-solutions.org/welcome.php

  Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project is now "Rocky Mountain Wild". Visit Rocky Mountain Wild's websites here and here.

  It appears after nearly 20 years Colorado is ready to seriously move forward with wildlife crossings near Vail Pass. It's come a long way since those early ideas. And moved down the road a bit too it seems. Better late than never I suppose. I wonder if those involved now remember the efforts put in by those of us back at the beginning. Below is a link to an article from the Summit Daily with the latest information on Colorado's plans for wildlife crossings along I-70 near Vail Pass:

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/project-to-construct-wildlife-crossings-along-the-east-vail-pass-on-interstate-70-receives-750000/