California enters final phase of construction on world’s largest wildlife crossing
What you need to know: Today marked the start of the final phase of work on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – a monumental wildlife preservation effort in Southern California.
LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the final phase of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing has begun. What is soon to be the world’s largest wildlife crossing will connect open space on both sides of US Highway 101 in Agoura Hills and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
“Today, the state is beginning the final phase of construction for what will soon be the largest urban wildlife crossing in the world – all thanks to the visionary work of state, federal, and private partners. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will soon protect Los Angeles’ native wildlife and over 300,000 drivers daily, as well as provide a cutting-edge model for urban wildlife conservation.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing before phase two
The final phase of this project includes extending the wildlife crossing over a two-lane local road. The work involves significant earthmoving, restoration of natural hydrology, protection of heritage oak trees, and coordination with multiple agencies to relocate essential utilities along the freeway corridor.
The first phase of construction was completed this year and included over 26 million pounds of concrete, 82 bridge girders, vegetated sound walls, habitat rock features, and living soils to support native plant growth. Caltrans and partners laid 6,000 cubic yards of living soil across the bridge structure in preparation for planting this fall, which will include over 50 native species and restore the wildlife habitats both on the crossing and in surrounding open-space areas.
The public is invited to follow along with construction on the bridge in real-time through its dedicated webcam.
How we got here
On Earth Day 2022, Governor Newsom participated in the groundbreaking for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – a public-private partnership of monumental scope leveraging the expertise and leadership of dozens of organizations and institutions to protect and restore wildlife habitats in Southern California.
Wildlife crossings are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure.
The habitat connectivity provided by wildlife crossings is critical to the success of California’s 30×30 targets and allows people and nature to thrive together.
Building wildlife and transportation infrastructure is a key part of the Governor’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and thousands of jobs across the state.