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In California, a $92 million project is underway to construct a 64-meter-long bridge over an eight-lane highway in Los Angeles County. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing aims to address the issue of animal-human conflict by providing a safe passage for various animals to move between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills in the Santa Susana range.
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. When completed, the 64-meter-long overpass will span over 8 lanes of traffic and will be filled with vegetation, including over a million native plants, to attract wildlife. Additionally, trees will be planted on nearly 5 hectares on both sides of the overpass to create a natural habitat for animals.
The main focus of the project is to improve the lives of mountain lions, who face challenges due to freeways limiting their movement and leading to inbreeding in some areas. Mountain lions need large territories to thrive but are confined in smaller areas due to urban expansion. The story of P-22, a famous mountain lion who roamed in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, has highlighted these struggles and inspired efforts like this project.
However, this project is not just about benefiting wildlife; it also aims to improve road safety for drivers and passengers by reducing collisions with animals. With completion expected in 2025, it is hoped that this ambitious project will significantly impact preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of endangered species like mountain lions in California.
Overall, this ambitious project demonstrates collaboration between multiple entities including Caltrans, National Park Service and National Wildlife Federation towards creating safer habitats for wildlife while also promoting road safety.
