Wildlife Crossing Opens in Southern California

0:00It's April 22nd. You're listening to California News today. AI-powered local news. I'm Cory with the story. Southern California just got a major win for wildlife. Officials announced that the Wallace and Emburg Wildlife Crossing will open to animals on December 2nd, 2026. This nearly one acre bridge over the 101 freeway in Agora Hills will let critters like mountain lions, bobcats, birds, and even butterflies cross safely after years of work. Construction kicked off on Earth Day in 2022 and is shaping up to be one of the priciest wildlife projects ever at around 90, too. $100 million. It's a beast of a build designed to link up habitats in the Santa Monica Mountains, one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. Experts say it's crucial because the freeway has isolated the local mountain line population, leading to inbreeding and low genetic diversity like Fathers breeding with daughters. Vehicle strikes are killing them off, too.

1:01So this crossing gives young ones a safe path to mixed genes in Rome. The first half is already done and now crews are tackling the second structure over Agora Road using smart, pre-cast concrete pieces to keep traffic. Flowing smooth. They've been moving dirt underground, about 60 to 100 feet deep, with 3 million cubic feet of soil to regrade soon. By summer's end, drivers will spot the big changes from the freeway paving the way for animals to reclaim their range without the deadly highway in. The mix.