The annual spring migration of the Jefferson salamanders on a stretch of road in Richmond Hill is a lot safer this year thanks to a newly built tunnel system.
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Typically, the endangered amphibians make the risky journey from their winter habitat by crossing a section of Stouffville Rd. to the wetlands where they breed.
Come fall, they’ll cross the road again to head back to the forest to hibernate.
To protect the slick critters during their semiannual migration, it’s not unusual for city officials to close a stretch of Stouffville Rd., between Bayview Ave. and Leslie St., to traffic overnight during rainy weather to help them make the trek safely.
City says tunnels are a long-term solution
Earlier in March, York Region unveiled the two newly built plastic tunnels under the two-lane road, designed as a permanent passageway for the greyish-brown lizard-like amphibians, who are guided to the tunnels through exclusion fencing.
York Region said construction of the tunnels happened last summer in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and with community support.
The road sits in the heart of the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is one of the few known Jefferson Salamander habitats outside the Niagara Escarpment, according to the city.
“The salamanders are an excellent indicator of healthy forests and ecosystems in this community,” Gerard Sullivan, an environmental specialist with York Region Public Works, said in a video promoting the project. “We hope these tunnels and continued support from the community and our partners will allow the Jefferson Salamanders to live long, healthy lives.”
Burlington road still temporarily closed
Another famous Jefferson Salamander crossing is a section of a road in Burlington.
Since 2012, the city has partnered with Conservation Halton to temporarily close King Rd. between North Service Rd. and Granite Ridge Tr., said Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in a recent post on X .
This year’s closure began on March 11 and will remain in place until Wednesday, she said.
Explaining the reason for the road closure, Mead Ward told CHCH’s Morning Live : “We call our salamanders Sally and Jeff, and they need to mate to propagate the species. So we close the roads so Sally and Jeff don’t get squished when they’re crossing to go to their habitat.”
Starting Wednesday, March 11, a section of King Road—from North Service Road to Granite Ridge Trail—will be temporarily closed to help protect the endangered Jefferson salamander during its annual breeding migration. The closure will remain in place until April 8, giving these… pic.twitter.com/3iZihPBcFp
— Marianne Meed Ward (@MariannMeedWard) March 12, 2026