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Plans to build an animal crossing underneath a busy highway is causing a nationwide stir.

A section of US Highway 27 near Tallahassee is known for its high amount of road kill, specifically for turtle fatalities. The state plans to use 3.4 million federal stimulus dollars to build a tunnel underneath the road that separate’s two lakes. Opponents of the project will host a rally at the state capitol on the Fourth of July. Organizer Pace Allen is encouraging protesters to bring their cameras to record and send messages to their representatives.

“Everybody is on the same page here as far as this expenditure or that expenditure the original concept and still the concept is to make your own signage whether its bugging you or turtling you today…you want a picture of a turtle or whatever it is, express yourself at this event and I encourage the attendees bring cameras and take pictures and make little movies and do just like you’re doing now,” said Allen.

Leon County Commissioner Cliff Thaell says the project isn’t just about protecting wildlife. Thaell says animals that cross the road endanger the lives of drivers.

“You’ve got to keep in mind, when you’ve got 30 and 40 pound turtles as large as a manhole cover and 12 foot alligators crossing a highway, it’s a public safety issue,” said Thaell.

The project made a list of the top 100 questionable spending items being paid for with Federal stimulus dollars.