The world's biggest wildlife bridge over busy motorway that's costing £68million

The world's biggest wildlife bridge over busy motorway that's costing £68million It is hoped the crossing, named after 86-year-old philanthropist, Wallis Annenberg, will reduce the number of animal-to-car collisions Whilst global temperatures fell in 2025, concerns remain about the ongoing impact of global warming and climate change on society. A major area of worry is wildlife, with many species at risk due to changing habitats and environmental conditions. Despite these challenges, numerous organisations and individuals are working to make life safer for the animal kingdom. One approach is through infrastructure projects designed to help animals navigate around, or over, human-made obstacles. A prominent example is the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. Currently under construction northwest of Los Angeles , once completed it will be the largest animal crossing in the world. READ MORE: Trump's ally gives insight into US leader's health - 'don't know how he's alive' READ MORE: Thousands of British jobs at risk as Army 'prepares to buy US helicopters' Currently being built over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, the £68m megaproject has been decades in the making. However, ground was eventually broken at the site in early 2022, with hopes that the bridge could open in early 2026. That opening has now been pushed back to November 2026, according to KTLA 5 . The main reasons cited are the weather, with storms hitting the area and causing delays. Beth Pratt, a spokesperson for the project, said: “[The storms] caused us to have to redo work as this occurred when contractors were constructing the massive supports and doing the groundwork around them, which required much soil compaction. They had to redo this multiple times because of the muddy mess.” However, whilst the project’s completion has been delayed by nearly a year, the hope is that its impact on local wildlife will remain unchanged, with projections suggesting it will significantly reduce wildlife deaths caused by vehicles. It has been reported that a similar bridge on Interstate 80 near Salt Lake City in Utah cut the number of animal-to-car collisions by 77 percent. Beth, who also serves as California ’s regional director for the National Wildlife Federation, added: “We found solutions ... we knew we had to find a way because failing wasn’t an option. The future of the area wildlife was at stake, and we could not let this mountain lion population go extinct on our watch.” The crossing is named after Wallis Annenberg, a philanthropist who was key to the bridge and who died last year at the age of 86. As well as supporting environmental causes, Wallis also championed initiatives in science and education. In a statement released to the Los Angeles Times at the time of her death, her family said: “Wallis transitioned peacefully and comfortable this morning to her new adventure. “Cancer may have beaten her body but it never got her spirit. We will hold her and her wisdom in our hearts forever.”

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