Project Background

The expansion of highway and railway networks is essential for economic development and regional connectivity. However, transport infrastructure can also fragment natural habitats, separating wildlife populations from feeding and migration routes.

This fragmentation increases the risk of collisions between animals and vehicles or trains, creating safety risks for both wildlife and transport operations. Such incidents can lead to infrastructure damage, service disruptions, and delays in passenger and freight transport.

To address these challenges, ecological crossings are increasingly integrated into modern infrastructure projects.

Engineering Solution

ViaCon Türkiye designed and delivered corrugated steel ecological bridges that enable wildlife to safely cross transport corridors while maintaining uninterrupted infrastructure operations.

The structures form ecological overpasses that reconnect habitats divided by transport corridors. Their design allows vegetation and natural terrain to be placed on top of the structure, creating a natural crossing environment for animals.

Two key projects implemented using this approach include:

• Ankara–Eskişehir high-speed railway ecological overpass
• Istanbul highway animal overpass

Both projects were delivered in cooperation with Turkish authorities to support sustainable infrastructure development.

Construction Advantages

Corrugated steel ecological bridges offer several advantages compared to conventional concrete structures:

Rapid installation
Modular steel plates can be transported easily and assembled on site, reducing construction time.

Reduced environmental impact
Steel structures require less material volume and reduce construction activity on site.

Adaptability to natural terrain
The structural system allows soil and vegetation layers to be placed above the bridge, supporting natural wildlife movement.

Sustainability

ViaCon promotes the use of steel structures as part of a more circular infrastructure approach.

Key sustainability benefits include:

Lower carbon emissions
By using a corrugated steel system, CO₂ emissions are reduced by more than 50% compared to concrete.

Reduced natural resource consumption
Steel construction requires approximately 68% fewer natural resources compared with concrete alternatives.

Recyclability
Steel is 100% recyclable, supporting circular economy principles.

Efficient construction
Shorter construction timelines reduce energy consumption and transport-related emissions.

Project Outcome

The ecological bridge projects demonstrate how corrugated steel structures can contribute to both transport safety and environmental protection.

By integrating ecological crossings into transport infrastructure, the projects support wildlife migration while maintaining reliable railway and highway operations.