Yes, but we also tend to ignore the cost of car crashes. Some of the cost is incurred by the individual, if their car gets damaged, but most of the cost of car crashes ends up getting paid by taxpayers.

Here’s a nice summary, although not related to wildlife specifically: https://maxmautner.com/2026/09/10/paying-for-driving.html

They are investments for the sake of all parties involved.

The Colorado department of transportation said before the overpass system was built, there was an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash a day in this corridor.

Such wildlife crossings are popping up across the country as a way to protect wildlife habitat and reduce collisions, which can result in injuries and deaths in humans and animals. Research has shown that overpass systems are successful in “nearly eliminating” these accidents and that such infrastructure buildouts often “pay for themselves” by preventing costly crashes.