Animal Crossing: World's Largest Wildlife Bridge to be Built near Los Angeles, California

California will be the site of the world's largest wildlife overpass as it will allow wild animals in the Santa Monica mountains to safely travel over a dangerous 10-lane highway.

Called the Wallis Annenberg wildlife crossing, the unprecedented green bridge will stretch up to 210 feet long and 165 feet wide.

World's Largest Wildlife Bridge

Drivers in the area may soon see the safe passage of mountain lions and other fauna, including lizards, snakes, and toads; nocturnal animals are also welcome to cross if they want to.

The wildlife bridge will be built above 101 Highway in proximity to California's largest city.

With almost a decade in the making, the wildlife overpass will reportedly create a corridor between two parts of the Santa Monica mountains.

The project is spearheaded by Beth Pratt, an urban ecologist of the National Wildlife Federation.

Pratt stated that she felt relieved that mountain lions will now be given a chance in the future, as per The Guardian.

The ecologist was responsible for persuading transportation officials about the project and for bringing together both stakeholders and donors for it to push through.

Wallis Annenberg Project

With a budget of $90 million USD, the official ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction will take place on Earth Day on April 22.

Construction of the wildlife bridge will occur mostly every night and is expected to be completed by early 2025.

Local authorities, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, commended the effort as a primary example of a public-private partnership.

The project's fund ratio is estimated to be 60% private donations with the rest coming from public funds.

Unlike other wildlife overpasses or underpasses made of cement and steel, Wallis Annenberg will be nature-oriented and be designed that will be integrated into the environment of the Santa Monica Mountain range, according to the bridge's landscape architect Robert Rock, as cited by The Guardian.

Animal Crossing in California

The project came as large number of mountain lions in several areas are being killed by crossing the dangerous freeways of California.

Crossings such as the 405 Freeway, Malibu Canyon Road, and the 118 Freeway have been the site of most deaths of the big cats, as per the Los Angeles Times.

The LA Times also added that the Santa Ana and Santa Monica Mountain ranges are surrounded by life-threatening highways and growing infrastructural development.

Importance of Wildlife Bridges

The National Geographic highlighted that wildlife crossings and tunnels specifically designed for faunas can mitigate the environmental impact of highways.

These green bridges are often covered with native vegetation to resemble the crossing is still part of the natural habitat and invite animals to pass.

During the 1950s, the first concept was first developed in France and eventually spread to the Netherlands, resulting in the creation of over 600 wildlife bridges to help protect badgers, elk, and other mammals.

With the Dutch holding the title for the world's longest animal crossing, the upcoming wildlife overpass in the United States will soon make a groundbreaking new record.