\u201cIt\u2019s not possible without the land protection, without the habitat restoration, without the wildlife crossings,\u201d Taylor Jang,\u00a0senior land manager for Peninsula Open Space Trust, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt\u2019s one small part of a very integrated project, with each part depending on the other for its success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Construction costs are estimated between $80 million to $90 million. The project is slated to start sometime in 2029-30 and take about two and a half years to complete. Funding comes from POST, San Jose, Caltrans, federal and state grants and private donors. The city contributed $100,000 to the project.<\/p>\n
Coyote Valle<\/a>y has received more than $3.1 billion in public and private investment for land conservation.<\/p>\n The first wildlife crossing will be constructed at the intersection of Fisher Creek and Monterey Road. The conceptual dimensions for the Monterey Road underpass are up to 100 feet wide and 15 feet high. Fencing will direct wildlife toward the crossing structure, which will include tunnels, vegetation, rocks and a combination of wet and dry conditions to facilitate animals.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are currently more than 1,500 wildlife crossing structures in 43 states, including California,\u201d Jennifer Norris, executive director of the California Wildlife Conservation Board, said in a statement. \u201cWe must create safe passages for their survival and ours. Restoring a functional wildlife linkage in Coyote Valley will help to reduce the regional impacts of a changing climate, preserve the biodiversity of the greater Bay Area and prevent the local extinction of these species.\u201d<\/p>\n Wildlife crossing structures paired with wildlife exclusionary fencing results in an 80% to 90% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions, if fencing is designed correctly and maintained, Jang said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting project right outside the city of San Jose\u2019s doorstep,\u201d Jang said. \u201cInvesting in Coyote Valley as a conservation priority has multiple benefits for wildlife, for people, for flood control and climate resiliency over the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n Alice Kaufman, policy and advocacy director for Green Foothills<\/a>, said the wildlife crossings are important for traffic safety as well as protecting wildlife.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a car hits an animal, that can cause harm to property or cause accidents where people can get hurt,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThis is a great investment and one that\u2019s worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n Kaufman said protecting isolated pieces of wildlife habitat isn\u2019t enough to preserve biodiversity.<\/p>\n \u201cThey need to be able to move, to roam, to be able to migrate,\u201d she said. \u201cLarger animals like mountain lions need to be able to move for miles and miles to find new territory, to find mates. So, these kinds of wildlife crossings are critical to ensure the continued survival of animals in our region.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Coyote Valley<\/a> is an area of statewide significance, Helen Chapman<\/a>, prior chairperson of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleased to see so many partners coming forward,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cSometimes we look at the negative side of government. This is a story where everybody\u2019s coming together for the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Monterey-Road-Crossing-concept-Aerial-1024x682.jpg\")
The first wildlife crossing project will be constructed at the intersection of Fisher Creek and Monterey Road. Image courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust.<\/p>\n
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