Caltrans Provides Update on World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing

[Knox]

Steady progress is being made on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Cross in Agoura Hills, according to a recent update provided by the California Department of Transportation.

Last week, crews worked overnight to pour “hundreds of tons” of wet concrete for the foundation of the bridge wall next to the southbound lanes of Highway 101, Caltrans said.

Photos of the project shared by Caltrans show the area where concrete was poured as part of the integral bridge wall that will eventually suspend the largest wildlife crossing ever constructed.

The price tag for the project was originally estimated to be more than $90 million.

The freeway crossing is planned to open to wildlife in 2025, Caltrans says.

Caltrans provides update on world’s largest wildlife crossing

Steady progress is being made on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Cross in Agoura Hills, according to a recent update provided by the California Department of Transportation. Last week, crews worked o…

ktla.com

I really like this idea, but as a California tax-payer - I have sticker shock on the cost to construct. Particularily because HWY 101 in my area of the Central Coast is in desperate need of expansion. Ninety Mil would go a long ways towards aiding congestion.

 

[mickey2942]

I wonder how many animals will actually use it? Probably will be used by unsheltered humans, and animals will stay away.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I wonder how many animals will actually use it? Probably will be used by unsheltered humans, and animals will stay away.

Can animals read road signs?

 

[vlbay]

They do work and they save human lives, as well, by reducing accidents.

Here's one in Utah in action.

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[Knox]

They do work and they save human lives, as well, by reducing accidents.

Here's one in Utah in action.

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The $5 million wildlife overpass was designed to reduce animal and vehicle collisions by helping wildlife safely migrate across the highway. And according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), it’s doing just that. Blair Stringham, DWR’s wildlife migration initiative coordinator said since the bridge was built, there has been a 75-80% reduction in vehicle collisions in that area.

Cameras at Parleys Canyon wildlife overpass show plenty of animal traffic

The Parleys Canyon wildlife overpass turns five years old this year. While an efficacy study is ongoing, the Utah Department of Transportation and the Division of Wildlife Resources call it a huge success.

www.kpcw.org

Nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[mickey2942]

Can animals read road signs?

I have seen them used here in Montana,

US 93 - Wildlife Crossing Structures in Use | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)

www.mdt.mt.gov

 

[LadyL]

they do work and they are all over the world

 

[Knox]

they do work and they are all over the world

I don't doubt that, I like the idea of doing this. But $90MM is in my opinion, excessive.

 

[LadyL]

I don't doubt that, I like the idea of doing this. But $90MM is in my opinion, excessive.

yeah that's a lot for sure

 

[LaborDayRN]

Can animals read road signs?

While animals cannot read road signs, we have infringed on their habitat. This is an area that is frequently crossed by wildlife. Hopefully it will keep some of them safe. It will also hopefully keep humans safe. Hitting a large lion at 70 MPH is likely to cause humans serious injury or death IMO.
Will they use it? Only time will tell.
ETA: I feel I can say the above from a place of knowledge. I have actually hit a VERY large dog while driving down the freeway in CA. He/She darted out in front of me from the side of the road. I litterally became airborn for a few seconds and didn't knnow if I could control my car. It's terrifying. I pulled over crying. I felt terrible for hitting the dog but was also really shaken by the experience. It took quite some time to regain composure. Kindly another driver pulled over to see if I was okay.

 

[seasideForest]

Can animals read road signs?

No, I'd think not. But they use other navigational tools humans are less good at.

This article gives some idea How wildlife bridges over highways make animals—and people—safer

 

[ifindedout]

Wikipedia has a lengthy entry on wildlife bridges.

Wildlife crossing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The first one I remember in the U.S. is on I-78 in Summit, NJ crossing Watchung Mountain. This section of 78 opened in 1986 after lengthy environmental delays, and the wildlife crossing is adjacent to a parallel road overpass, so much so that they look like one bridge (but they're not).

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