Mountain lions, bobcats, and other wildlife would have less of a chance of becoming road kill if a wildlife corridor is constructed over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills.
Plan is to construct a 165ft wide by 200ft long wildlife bridge over the U.S. 101 connecting the Santa Monica Mountains on the south with the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains.
According to Caltrans, the projected cost to complete the project would be about $33 million to $38 million.
Mountain lion population in the area is decreasing due to battles over their shrinking territory and depletion of genetic diversity caused by inbreeding.
Since 2002, motorists have struck & killed about a dozen big cats in the area.
A wildlife overpass would also protect motorists from being killed or injured in collisions with animals.
The overpass would include drought-tolerant vegetation strategically placed so that it helps funnel wildlife across.
Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians would also be able to use the structure.
The structure would be the nation’s largest wildlife overpass (highway has 10 lanes of pavement including exit lanes)
Similar structures have aided wildlife in the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, where 30 species have been documented making more than 20,000 trips across the bridges a year
Some general advantages include an increase food availability, an escape from predators, shelter during bad weather, and “greenbelts” in urban areas for recreation, aesthetics, improved land value, and other benefits.