From another article...

>The project was completed in less than a year, ahead of schedule, and on budget.

>"After more than nine years of planning and work...."

>The overpass is the single largest bridge structure for wildlife in North America and one of the largest in the world at 200 feet wide and 209 feet long covering 41,800 square feet, nearly an acre. 76 girders hold up the bridge deck.

https://governorsoffice.colorado.gov/governor/news/cdot-comp...

So it was basically a decade-long project and in that context $15M doesn't seem that high. Along with the wildlife benefits, it sounds like the economic benefits will be immediate and ongoing since the area has had "an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash a day in the fall and spring wildlife movement seasons."

For an overpass that size, with that much concrete and land, over a working highway that they didn't shut down I'm assuming? $15M sounds like a steal compared to what I've seen the government pay for other stuff....

https://www.governing.com/infrastructure/california-spent-45...