Construction on what is being hailed as 'the world's largest wildlife crossing' will result in the closure of a section of Los Angeles County's 101 Freeway overnight on weekdays for several weeks, starting Monday. The wildlife crossing, spanning 10 lanes of highway, aims to provide safe passage for various wildlife species, particularly mountain lions, from the Santa Monica Mountains into the Simi Hills of the Santa Susana mountain range.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) initiated the construction of the crossing in April 2022, with an expected completion date in 2025. Once finished, the bridge will be camouflaged with soil and native plants to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings.
Officials emphasize that major highways act as barriers to wildlife, impacting animals' movement and gene pools. Caltrans asserts that this crossing will be the largest of its kind in the US, while the project's official website claims it will be the largest globally and serve as a model for urban wildlife conservation.
Starting Monday, all southbound lanes of the highway in the Agoura Hills area will be closed from Cheseboro Road to Liberty Canyon Road for approximately five hours, beginning at 11:59 p.m. PT on weekdays. Subsequently, closures will shift to northbound lanes as construction progresses.
Caltrans states that these closures are essential for public safety as crews install girders over the freeway to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a vegetated bridge designed to reconnect wildlife habitats. The schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or operational requirements, with detours on local streets provided.
The crossing, funded by over 5,000 individual contributions, is named after the president and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation. The project aims to promote coexistence with wildlife and preserve ecosystems for their thriving. It will offer habitat access to various species, with mountain lions being a primary beneficiary.
The National Parks Service highlights the plight of mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, where freeway encirclement has led to genetic diversity issues. The crossing is expected to address this by facilitating genetic exchange among the mountain lion population.
The project's website underscores the importance of connectivity in mitigating genetic collapse, allowing for the movement of animals across the region. Notably, the famed mountain lion P-22, born in the Santa Monica Mountains, faced challenges due to urban development and highway barriers, ultimately succumbing to injuries sustained from vehicle collisions.
