Burlington shuts down for salamander crossing

Why did Burlington shut down King Road?

So the salamanders could get to the other side.

The City of Burlington closed a three-kilometre section of the road on Monday so that the endangered amphibians could access their breeding grounds.

The stretch – between North Service Road and Mountain Brow Road – will remain closed until April 8.

The city says the endangered Jefferson salamander need safe passage during their annual migration to lay eggs.

Jefferson salamanders spend the winter underground, then seek temporary ponds formed by spring run-off, sometimes crossing King Road to do so, the city said in a statement.

They lay their eggs in clumps attached to underwater vegetation. By midsummer, the larvae lose their gills and leave the pond and head into the surrounding forest.

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