California to build largest wildlife crossing in world

The state plans to build a wildlife crossing over a major Southern California highway that would be the largest wildlife crossing in the world.

The wildlife crossing will give big cats, coyotes, deer, lizards, snakes and other creatures a safe route to open space and better access to food and potential mates, reports The Associated Press via The Durango Herald.

The span along U.S. 101 will only be the second animal overpass in a state where tunnels are more common. Officials say it will be the first of its kind near a major metropolis and the largest in the world, stretching 200 feet above 10 lanes of busy highway and a feeder road just 35 miles northwest of downtown LA.

An $87-million wildlife bridge over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills entered its final design stage. If approved, the overpass would stretch 200 feet over 10 lanes of traffic, and would be equipped with vegetative landscapes.

Completion of the overpass is set for 2023.