In California, a massive project is underway to construct a 64-meter-long bridge over an eight-lane highway in Los Angeles County. This ambitious endeavor aims to address the issue of animal-human conflict in the United States, where over one million collisions occur each year between wild animals and vehicles, resulting in 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries for drivers and passengers. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing project is being built across Highway 101 to provide a safe passage for various animals to move between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills in the Santa Susana range.
Construction began two years ago on Earth Day, with a cost of $92 million. The project involves multiple entities including Caltrans, the National Park Service, and the National Wildlife Federation. Recently, a significant milestone was reached with the placement of the first bridge section above the highway. The 64-meter-long overpass will eventually be filled with vegetation, including over a million native plants, to attract wildlife. Additionally, trees will be planted on nearly 5 hectares on both sides of the overpass to create a natural habitat for animals.
The primary focus of this project is to improve the lives of mountain lions, who face challenges due to freeways limiting their movement in Los Angeles and leading to inbreeding in some areas. Mountain lions need large territories to thrive but are confined in smaller areas due to urban expansion. The tragic end of P-22, a famous mountain lion who roamed Griffith Park in Los Angeles, has highlighted these struggles faced by these animals. P-22’s story has inspired efforts like this one: building safe passages for wildlife that prioritize their survival while also improving road safety for drivers and passengers by reducing collisions with animals.
With completion set for 2025, it is hoped that this project will significantly impact preserving biodiversity in Southern California and ensuring the survival of endangered species like mountain lions
