Wildlife crossing unfinished: Can California still – Latest News
The long-awaited wildlife crossing over the 101 is delayed and over finances. Which raises the query: Can we still construct something in California?
The overpass is supposed to offer a manner for wildlife to cross from one aspect of the freeway to a different. With mountain lions being killed on California’s roadways on a common foundation, there may be appreciable assist for a answer.
But it’s not clear whether or not an overpass over the 101 will work — are the lions alleged to comply with Waze to seek out it? — and the work appears largely unfinished, simply weeks earlier than the overpass is set to open.
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The long-awaited wildlife crossing over the 101 is delayed and over finances. Which raises the query: Can we still construct something in California? CA Post
The National Wildlife Federation insisted to The California Post that the wildlife crossing will likely be inaugurated on Dec. 2, as deliberate.
But one have a look at the present state of construction is enough to raise critical doubts.
The hillside the place the crossing is being constructed is steep, leaving a sheer drop between the overpass and the hillside beneath.
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That synthetic cliff should be blended into the hill with landscaping and stabilized earlier than animals can use it.
And as anybody with a back yard in California is aware of, the ground doesn’t all the time keep within the place you suppose it ought to go.
With a robust El Niño anticipated to reach within the coming weeks, heavy rains may pressure additional delays — simply as they held up construction over the previous few years.
Construction continues on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, California, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. At roughly 210 ft, the crossing spans the 101 freeway and is meant to reconnect habitats for mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and deer. Andy Johnstone for CA Post
And at a price tag of $92 million — which has ballooned to nicely over $100 million — Californians may nicely marvel whether it is value the associated fee.
Yes, the project was initially alleged to be privately funded, however now the state of California is kicking in about 20% of the associated fee.
Is this actually one thing the taxpayers of California should be funding? And if that’s the case — we deserve more oversight and accountability.
Before committing to such a giant project, it might need been helpful to ask whether or not an overpass was actually the best reply — or whether or not an underpass might need been a higher option.
Politicians naturally want bridges to tunnels, as a result of they wish to put their names on issues people will see on a regular basis.
But there may be proof that mountain lions may want to go underground quite than climbing over a roadway.
Construction is underway on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Friday, March 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. Pedro Colo for CA Post
It may take years to know whether or not the wildlife crossing even works. It should be monitored carefully.
And the subsequent project must be on time, and beneath finances.
