After years of planning and much anticipationthe world’s largest wildlife transition is starting to take shape across Highway 101 in Agoura Hills.
New aerial photos posted by state transportation officials shows the first stages of construction for sound walls and concrete barriers on both sides of the bridge deck, which spans eight lanes along the Santa Monica Mountains.
Installation of the steel beams was completed back in April, and crews have since been assembling wooden forms and placing rebar in preparation for concrete pouring.
Construction of the $92 million Wild Passage, officially called Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossingbroke ground in 2022 and will be completed at the beginning of 2026. The 200-foot-long, 165-foot-wide bridge will be the largest of its kind in the world — and will act as a critical lifeline for the many animals that have tried to cross the busy highway.
Earlier this summer, a mountain lion was killed not far from where the intersection is being built.
Scientists and conservationists say this wildlife crossing will also be critical to restoring gene flow among small, isolated populations of cougars trapped south of the freeway in the Santa Monica Mountains, and cougars restricted to the north in the Simi Hills and Santa Susana- the mountains.
There are also signs that other animals are already starting to use the crossing, and a native nursery preparing to sow the bridge with local sages, bushes, milkweed and other vegetation.
Construction activities are ongoing, and Caltrans officials noted that daytime ramp closures may occur periodically Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the southbound 101 Liberty Canyon Road exit and the northbound 101 Liberty Canyon on-ramp.
Traffic updates and road closures are available at QuickMap.dot.ca.gov.
Webcams are also available on the project websitewhere you can follow the construction progress and spot passing wildlife.