Highways often divide the habitats and migratory routes for many species while posing a danger to animals that have to cross them.
The good news is that the construction of the world’s largest wildlife overpass will soon begin across a multi-lane highway at Liberty Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains.
According to EcoWatch, the 210-foot long, 165-foot wide “natural” bridge will allow animals like coyotes, mountain lions, snakes, and toads to safely cross the U.S. Highway 101 near Los Angeles.
“The freeway is a formidable and virtually impenetrable barrier for many wildlife species including mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, and mule deer that inhabit and travel between these two mountain ranges,” the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy said in a press release. “For mountain lions in particular, the consequences of this restriction results in increased inbreeding and territorial fighting, and very low genetic diversity, within the Santa Monica Mountains.”
The overpass will be surrounded by an acre of native plants, while sound walls covered with vegetation will be installed to shield nocturnal animals from noise and light.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is planned for Earth Day on April 22.
The bridge is expected to be complete at the beginning of 2025.
Let’s hope that there will be more wildlife overpasses in the future, as we humans need to find ways to live together with wildlife.
To this end, the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill has $350 million set aside for underpasses, overpasses, and highway fences aimed at protecting wildlife.
Nikola uses his background in electrical engineering to break down complex sustainability topics for GreenCitizen's readers. He is a firm believer in environmental conservation, which he practices daily through recycling and home-grown food. He enjoys hiking, engaging in white-water sports, and collecting pocket knives.
Conservation
Largest Wildlife Crossing in the World Soon to Open in California
by : Nikola Gemeš | Publication Date: April 26, 2022
California’s Highway 101 is to receive the world’s largest wildlife crossing to help animals cross one of the nation’s busiest transportation routes.
Highways often divide the habitats and migratory routes for many species while posing a danger to animals that have to cross them.
The good news is that the construction of the world’s largest wildlife overpass will soon begin across a multi-lane highway at Liberty Canyon in the Santa Monica mountains.
According to EcoWatch, the 210-foot long, 165-foot wide “natural” bridge will allow animals like coyotes, mountain lions, snakes, and toads to safely cross the U.S. Highway 101 near Los Angeles.
The overpass will be surrounded by an acre of native plants, while sound walls covered with vegetation will be installed to shield nocturnal animals from noise and light.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is planned for Earth Day on April 22.
The bridge is expected to be complete at the beginning of 2025.
Let’s hope that there will be more wildlife overpasses in the future, as we humans need to find ways to live together with wildlife.
To this end, the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill has $350 million set aside for underpasses, overpasses, and highway fences aimed at protecting wildlife.
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Nikola Gemeš
Nikola uses his background in electrical engineering to break down complex sustainability topics for GreenCitizen's readers. He is a firm believer in environmental conservation, which he practices daily through recycling and home-grown food. He enjoys hiking, engaging in white-water sports, and collecting pocket knives.
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