California's $92 million wildlife crossing project underway in Agoura Hills
The first layers of soil were recently placed in Agoura Hills on what will be the world's largest wildlife crossing.
The soil, to cover nearly an acre of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, will make it easier for wildlife to move through its habitat, according to a news release from Gov. Gavin Newsom's office.
"As soil gets placed over the bridge, we're one step closer to reconnecting wildlife with habitat that's been divided for generations," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We're not only making habitats whole again, we're making our roads safer."
The bridge will span 10 lanes of Highway 101 in the city.
Approximately 6,000 cubic yards of soil placement is needed for the project and is expected to take several weeks to complete, according to the governor's release.
Here's what to know about California's wildlife crossings.
Wildlife crossings are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure, according to the release.
The soil is part of restoring an ecological corridor to support local wildlife, according to the release. Mountain lions, deer, bats, bobcats, desert cottontails, monarch butterflies and more are expected to use the bridge.
Planting of approximately 5,000 native plants will start in May, weather permitting. The bridge will feature coastal sage scrub plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains.
The plant species will contribute to an overall environmental restoration strategy that includes 12 acres of open space and 50,000 native plants, according to the release.
"By building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Caltrans is supporting transportation infrastructure that will not only reconnect and restore habitats but also reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife and enhance highway safety,' said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director, in a statement.
The length of the bridge over Highway 101 is about 210 feet, according to a Caltrans news release. The width is about 174 feet.
The northbound Highway 101 on-ramp at Liberty Canyon Road is expected to be shut down through late April, the California Department of Transportation announced
Caltrans expects work on the first phase, which includes the bridge over the freeway, to finish next year. Construction began in mid-2022, according to Caltrans.
A second phase of construction, which includes extending the crossing over Agoura Road, is scheduled to wrap up in 2026, officials said.
The project's total programmed costs are approximately $92 million, according to Caltrans.
Major funding for the crossing is provided by the Annenberg Foundation, other private donations, and the California Wildlife Conservation Board.
Find more information at 101wildlifecrossing.org or sign up for a weekly update by emailing D7inquiries@dot.ca.gov or calling 213-897-1200.
Reporter Cheri Carlson contributed to this report.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Soil placed on Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in California
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