L.A. Wildlife Crossing To Break Ground This Spring

Southern California's wildlife will soon have a safer way to travel, reports Alissa Walker, thanks to a planned wildlife crossing that will help the region's mountain lions cross the eight-lane 101 freeway, expand their habitat, and increase their genetic diversity.

With the last $10 million secured through Governor Newsom's new budget, the $87-million project, the largest of its kind in the world, is now fully funded and will break ground this spring. The bridge will span Liberty Canyon in the western part of Los Angeles, connecting two portions of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the nation's largest urban national park. Walker notes that the design features materials designed to deflect headlights and insulate its travelers from traffic noise, as well as native landscaping to attract pollinators.

Popular in places like Canada and Australia, wildlife crossings make travel safer for migrating animals and enhance biodiversity in habitats fractured by roads and urban development. According to Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, reweaving together fragmented habitats is also an effective climate resiliency strategy. Meanwhile, wildlife crossings also make roads safer for humans, saving lives and thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs. 

Wildlife crossings were allocated $340 million in federal funding in the infrastructure bill, which could prompt more similar projects around the country.