Ecological bridges, also known as wildlife crossings, are known as underpasses and overpasses built to protect wildlife and prevent traffic accidents.

The increasing human population and the expansion of settlement and transportation areas day by day; put natural areas and wildlife there at risk. The disruption of the ecological balance poses a great threat to living creatures in nature.

Ecological bridges, which look like a normal overpass but are covered with local vegetation and create integrity for wildlife, not only allow wild animals to easily cross from one side of the road to the other; they also help prevent the constructed highway from fragmenting the habitat where creatures live. In this way; creatures do not have difficulties in issues such as feeding, sheltering, finding a mate and reproduction, and biodiversity is protected. Migrating animals do not deviate from their migration routes thanks to ecological bridges, and the lives of animals that do not have to use the highway are not at risk.

The longest of the ecological bridges, the first examples of which we saw in France in the 1950s, is located in the Netherlands (800 meters). Ecological life bridges, which are widely used in the world; underpasses, overpasses, viaducts, tunnels for amphibians, fish paths and stairs; channels for otters, badgers and small mammals; green roofs for birds and butterflies.

The first ecological bridge built in our country is the Uskumruköy Ecological Bridge, which was implemented with the Northern Marmara Highway Project. The bridge prevents the destruction of green areas and allows many wild animals in the region, such as pigs, jackals, foxes and roe deer, to cross the road easily.