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

A section of U.S. Highway 27 near Tallahassee is known for its high amount of roadkill, specifically for turtle fatalities. The state plans to use $3.4 million of federal stimulus money to build a tunnel underneath the road that separates two lakes, according to the Capitol News Service.

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.

Leon County Commissioner Cliff Thaell said the project isn’t just about protecting wildlife. He said 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," Thaell said.

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