Wildlife Crossing Opens on 101 Freeway

0:00It's April 22, I'm Cory with the story and this is California News today, your AI-powered local news. The Wallace-Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, over the 101 freeway and Agora Hills, is set to open for animals on December 2, 2000, 26. This nearly one acre bridge will let seven California wildlife, like mountain mines, bobcats, birds, and even butterflies safely cross the busy, highway after years of work. Something kicked off on Earth Day in 2022, and is one of the priciest wildlife projects ever, at around 90 to 100 million dollars. Lately, crews buried high-voltage power lines underground, and drilled dozens of 75-foot deep concrete piles along Agora Road for a solid base. Experts say it's crucial because the freeway blocks mountain lines in the Santa Monica Mountains, causing inbreeding and low genetic diversity. Little strikes are killing them off too, so this crossing gives young ones a safe path

1:01to mix genes with others north of the highway. Right now, the first half is done, and they're building the second over Agora Road this summer, using giant precast concrete pieces made off site 2. Keep traffic moving. Next up, they'll shift 3 million cubic feet of soil to reshape the land around it. By late summer, drivers should spot the big changes rising up, paving the way for wildlife to roam free, and keep their populations thriving long-term.