Wildlife Bridge Under Construction: A $92 Million Effort to Address Animal-Human Conflict in Los Angeles County

In Los Angeles County, construction is well underway on a $92 million bridge that aims to address the issue of animal-human conflict. The project, set to be completed by 2025, is the world’s largest wildlife overpass and will provide a safe passage for various animals to move between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills in the Santa Susana range.

The ambitious project is being built across Highway 101 and aims to improve road safety for drivers and passengers while also benefiting wildlife. With over one million collisions between wild animals and vehicles in the United States each year resulting in 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries for drivers and passengers, this project is critical in reducing these risks.

The main focus of the project is to improve the lives of mountain lions, who face challenges due to urban expansion limiting their movement and leading to inbreeding in some areas. The story of P-22, a famous mountain lion who roamed in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, has highlighted the struggles faced by these animals. P-22’s tragic end has inspired efforts to create safe passages for wildlife like this Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing project.

Construction began on Earth Day two years ago and recently reached a significant milestone with the placement of the first bridge section above the highway. The 64-meter-long overpass will span over eight lanes of traffic and will eventually be filled with vegetation, including over a million native plants, to attract wildlife. Additionally, trees will be planted on nearly five hectares on both sides of the overpass to create a natural habitat for animals.

With completion set for 2025, it is hoped that this ambitious project will have a significant impact on preserving biodiversity in Los Angeles County and ensuring the survival of endangered species like mountain lions.