Posted on 03/25/2022 7:09:21 AM PDT by SJackson
LOS ANGELES -- Groundbreaking is set for next month on what's billed as the world's largest wildlife crossing — a bridge over a major Southern California highway that will provide more room to roam for mountain lions and other animals hemmed in by urban sprawl.
A ceremony marking the start of construction for the span over U.S. 101 near Los Angeles will take place on Earth Day, April 22, the National Wildlife Federation announced Thursday.
The bridge will give big cats, coyotes, deer, lizards, snakes and other creatures a safe route to open space in the Santa Monica Mountains and better access to food and potential mates, said the wildlife federation's Beth Pratt.
“Crossings like this are nothing new," Pratt said, noting there is one outside Yosemite for toads. "This one's historic because we're putting it over one of the busiest freeways in the world.”
She helped organize the project along with other conservationists and state transportation officials.
Pratt said the bridge will be the first of its kind near a major metropolis and the largest in the world, stretching 200 feet (61 meters) above 10 highway lanes and a feeder road just 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of downtown LA.
Construction will take place mostly at night and won’t require any lengthy shutdowns of the 101 freeway, officials have said. It's slated to be completed by early 2025.
The $90 million price tag will be covered by about 60% private donations, with the rest coming from public funds set aside for conservation purposes. The span will be named the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, for the philanthropist whose foundation donated $25 million.
Gov. Gavin Newsom called the project an “inspiring example” of public-private partnership.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
I'm surprised California isn't building it across the border. Maybe next year.
It will be a good place to harvest protein sources in the coming famine.
We have a good-sized one at Snoqualmie Pass over I-90.
Remains to be seen if the wildlife will read the signs and cross there rather than over the highway.
Just wait for the first wildfire to cross. Eff'n fruit and nuts.
This wouldn’t even be necessary if the country wasn’t flooded with illegal immigrants.
Soon to be known as the Walter Annenberg Deli by area carnivores.
Wildlife finds these things pretty quickly and uses them extensively. Factoring in the reduced property damage from wildlife collisions, the auto insurance industry should have kicked in for construction costs.
what
Deer cause 200 human fatalities a year:
I saw this concept pitched on an episode The West Wing many moons ago and I was skeptical however seeing some of these animal crossing have been built and have good success in helping wildlife reach shelter and sources of food without having to cross busy, dangerous highways I’m all for it.
Wait till they find out this is just trap to get them paying some new toll tax. Dont do it animals, its a trap.
Over 1 million collisions nationwide between cars and deer.
I bet at least half the construction crew will be illegal immigrants all getting paid at Davis-Bacon Rates.
These things actually make sense in maintaining habitat while reducing dangerous collisions with vehicles.
First time I saw one of these was in Germany in 1998, I did not realize what it was at first, but these are a good idea.
I suppose illegal immigrants ARE a sort of wildlife.
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