In December, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the largest of its kind globally, is scheduled to open in Southern California. This vegetated overpass is designed to provide safe passage for wildlife across the 10-lane Ventura Freeway, a notoriously hazardous route for animals.
The project was conceived in 2012 after a mountain lion known as P-22, who had crossed the freeway to find territory and a mate, became an icon. His journey highlighted the dangerous division of habitats caused by major roadways, which scientists noted was contributing to the local extinction of his clan. Beth Pratt, then heading the California branch of the National Wildlife Federation, and wildlife biologist Jeff Sikich discussed the need for a wildlife corridor, a conversation that eventually led to the creation of the Wallis Annenberg crossing.
Despite facing significant challenges over 14 years, including complex engineering, reliance on philanthropy for funding, and rising construction costs, the project is nearing completion. The Wallis Annenberg crossing, spanning 210 feet, aims to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions, which result in hundreds of human deaths, millions of animal deaths, and billions of dollars in damages annually.
A Growing Trend in Infrastructure
Before the Wallis Annenberg project, wildlife crossings were rare in the U.S., especially across major freeways. California's transportation agency initially reacted with bafflement to the idea, reflecting its novelty at the time. The final cost for the Wallis Annenberg crossing exceeded $100 million.
However, as the Los Angeles project progressed, the concept gained national traction. Since P-22's initial freeway crossing, over 1,000 new wildlife corridors have been established across the country. This trend culminated in the $350 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, created in 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Pete Buttigieg, former Transportation Secretary under the Biden administration, championed these projects, emphasizing their role in public safety.
Examples of these new corridors include an overpass for elk in Colorado, a land bridge for deer and bobcats in Texas, and underpasses for alligators in Florida. Even smaller-scale solutions, like holes in fencing for hedgehogs or bee-and-butterfly crossings, are being implemented.
Shifting Norms and Future Outlook
Marcel Huijser, a research ecologist at the Western Transportation Institute, noted that while "road ecology has become more recognized" in the U.S., the country still lags behind places like the Netherlands, where thousands of wildlife crossings have been standard for decades. Huijser pointed out that other countries have historically integrated social and ecological impacts into the earliest stages of infrastructure planning, unlike the U.S., where such considerations were often an afterthought.
The Wallis Annenberg crossing, inspired in part by P-22's story and advocacy from figures like Pratt, is expected to be transformative for local wildlife and road safety. Its success is anticipated to bolster support for future projects. The pilot program that was influenced by P-22's advocacy is up for renewal and may become permanent.
While many wildlife crossings have bipartisan support, the Wallis Annenberg project has faced opposition, with Pratt reporting death threats after some media outlets criticized it. However, proponents believe that by channeling public attention and support, the U.S. can improve its infrastructure to better accommodate both human and animal needs. Pratt expressed that the ultimate goal is for wildlife crossings to become standard components of transportation budgets and infrastructure planning, eliminating the need for specialized advocacy.