The expansive bridge (meant for animal crossing) will connect open space on both sides of US Highway 101 in Agoura Hills.
Collectively, the San Francisco Zoo and Oakland Zoo aid hundreds of animals a year in rescue and rehabilitation efforts, some of which remain permanent rescues at either zoological facility. A massive number of these cases are caused by vehicle collisions … due to animals crossing California’s massive network of highways. Oakland Zoo has famously offered rescue and rehabilitation to mountain lion cubs — the zoo took in three young mountain lions in January after their mother was found dead, hit by a vehicle trying to cross a road in San Mateo County — but the opening of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (and structures like it) could help reduce the number of orphaned cubs in need of saving.
Now entering its final construction stage, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is nearing completion with its expected fall 2026 opening still on track.
“We celebrate Beth Pratt at [the National Wildlife Federation] and everyone involved,” reads a post by Oakland Zoo on Instagram. The bridge, which spans 165 feet wide and 200 feet long — about just an acre in size — is part of a 12-acre restoration project that spans both sides of Highway 1010 and represents the world’s largest overpass wildlife crossing. An estimated 300,000 drivers pass over this specific section of Highway 101 every day, each vehicle existing as another chance for wildlife to get hurt (or worse).
In a release from the California Governor’s Office, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife involves a wide swath of restoration and repurposing — “[the landbridge requires] significant earthmoving, restoration of natural hydrology, protection of heritage oak trees, and coordination with multiple agencies to relocate essential utilities along the freeway corridor” — and is multi-agency partnership. Caltrain, for example, has partnered with other agencies and departments to lay over 6,000 cubic yards of living soil across the bridge; some 50 native plant species will be planted on the bland bridge.
The first phase of construction was done earlier this year, creating the infrastructural desktop of the bridge … that involved over 26 million pounds of concrete, 82 bridge girders, sound walls, habitat rock features, and more. The open space areas around each entrance to the bridge were also restored to offer
It’s statewide efforts like these that will hopefully help not only mountain lions but also safeguard California’s biodiversity.
“While we respond quickly when needed, we hope these measures can be adopted statewide to reduce how often Oakland Zoo has to rescue mountain lions and to help preserve this species,” continues the post by the Oakland Zoo. “Coexistence with wildlife is vital to maintain California’s biodiversity!”
A real-time livestream dedicated to the construction is currently up … and let’s hope it sticks around after the bridge is completed … so we can see mountain lions crossing through our lil’ LED and LCD screens.
