I grew up in Agoura Hills, it's funny to see this on HN of all places. And in another amusing twist, I just drove under this two days ago because I am visiting my parents this weekend.
It's something the locals have known was needed for a long time, I'm glad they were finally able to get it built.
Introducing wolves back to a relatively small part of Wisconsin has had a positive economic impact from reduced car crashes with deer. This crossing will no doubt help the cougars, and that’ll help the humans who have to drive on this terrifying part of the 101.
One of my favorite wildlife stats is that you're hundreds of times more likely to be killed by a deer than a mountain lion. Protecting apex predators like wolves and lions significantly reduces deer caused deaths and injuries. It's nice to see public opinion steadily changing in this area for the better, past predator management has been extremely stupid and harmful.
I live nearby and drive past it nearly every day. It’s been fascinating watching its construction. They’ve done a very good job not impacting traffic and only closed down the highway late at night for a week or two.
That’s truly an unbelievable amount. I suppose there is some breakdown of this available. Would love to hear from someone who knows on the actual reasonableness of the costs. Seems exceptionally out of line from the sidelines.
I had to google and double check there isn't another place in Europe called Santa Monica Mountains. Because building bridge for Wildlife seems very European rather than American, or at least modern American. I remember a lot of them in Holland and other places.
Let's hope more of these get built in US. ( While not being crazy expensive )
Many places in the US have already built dedicated wildlife crossings. There's the Keechelus Wildlife Overcrossing over I-90 in Washington state and Wyoming has invested in several smaller scale over and underpasses along Highway 191
More interestingly is the timeline. Broke ground in 2022, finished in 2025, and likely operational before the end of the year.
Now sure, it likely took some years in the planning as well, but it shows that infrastructure can be built in reasonable time lines when politics and nimbyism don't get in the way.
And this isn't a simple bit of construction- it spans a serious bit of active highway.
Weird how you're downvoted. IMHO, it should not stop its construction, but it's an interesting question. Undoubtedly, after dumping soil on the bridge, shrubbery and even trees will grow, so yes, it could act as a wildfire bridge.
Note that the article also says it offers an escape route from wildfires, so it goes both ways.
If had to guess about the downvotes: the note about the article you point out (that's the big reason), plus (and this was just the first thing of a handful of relevant information) the easy answers with a quick search https://valleynewsgroup.com/wildlife-bridge-wont-become-a-wi...
Which took less typing to find than making the comment.
Gigantic roads like that make me crazy! I can't understand how people subject themselves to living near these giant impassible rivers of concrete! Even a city road that's not a freeway - on a visit to sf I needed to walk across Harrison and then 6th street. 12 lanes to walk across, two lights to wait for! I felt like tearing my hair out.
At least they finally built a way for the animals to cross again. I can't imagine how long it would take to walk across that eco bridge thing.
Readit News
It's something the locals have known was needed for a long time, I'm glad they were finally able to get it built.
https://wolf.org/media-releases/new-study-shows-wolves-save-...
More modest projects should be considered. Like simple bridges, or large culverts running underneath the highway.
Let's hope more of these get built in US. ( While not being crazy expensive )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirrel_bridge
Now sure, it likely took some years in the planning as well, but it shows that infrastructure can be built in reasonable time lines when politics and nimbyism don't get in the way.
And this isn't a simple bit of construction- it spans a serious bit of active highway.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123627807-crossings
Note that the article also says it offers an escape route from wildfires, so it goes both ways.
Which took less typing to find than making the comment.
At least they finally built a way for the animals to cross again. I can't imagine how long it would take to walk across that eco bridge thing.
https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/wisley-sche...