{"id":858875,"date":"2026-09-24T11:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/858875\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:12:12","slug":"las-annenberg-wildlife-crossing-looks-unready-for-december-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/858875\/","title":{"rendered":"LA\u2019s Annenberg Wildlife Crossing looks unready for December opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

The massive wildlife crossing<\/a> over Los Angeles\u2019 101 Freeway is just 10 weeks from opening but still looks like a construction site with a lot of work still to be completed.<\/p>\n

New photos, obtained by the California Post, show ongoing construction around the $92 million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing<\/a> in Agoura Hills, where crews are still working on the final stage of the sprawling project.<\/p>\n

However, the California Natural Resources Agency is still confident it will open on time.<\/p>\n

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The massive wildlife crossing over Los Angeles\u2019 101 Freeway still looks like a construction site, with just over two months to go before animals are officially given the green light to use it. Pedro Colo for CA Post<\/p>\n

\u201cDecember 2nd remains the date when the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be ready for wildlife to cross. The plans include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site and a public celebration at King Gillette Ranch, that everyone is invited to attend!,\u201d the organization told The Post.<\/p>\n

A section of Agoura Road beneath the project is scheduled to remain closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Nov. 30 as crews perform bridge work and backfill operations, according to MyNewsLA.<\/a><\/p>\n

The crossing is scheduled to officially open to wildlife on Dec. 2, according to organizers\u2014despite work continuing almost through opening day. CA Post<\/p>\n

That leaves just two days between the scheduled end of the closures and the crossing\u2019s highly anticipated opening.<\/p>\n

The crossing\u2019s official website says \u201csome planting and finishing work will continue after opening.\u201d<\/p>\n

An aerial view shows the progress of construction on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Los Angeles. CA Post<\/p>\n

Caltrans says the project is being built in two stages. The first, encompassing the vegetated bridge over the 101, was completed in June 2025.<\/p>\n

The second includes the wildlife crossing over Agoura Road, utility relocations, earthwork and restoration of habitat surrounding the freeway and road.<\/p>\n

The crossing\u2019s official website says \u201csome planting and finishing work will continue after opening.\u201d Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n

The crossing had originally been slated for completion in 2025, but organizers said record rainfall and flooding during two consecutive springs substantially disrupted the construction schedule.<\/p>\n

Once open, the vegetation-covered bridge will reconnect habitat divided by the 101, providing a route for mountain lions and other wildlife between areas of the Santa Monica Mountains.<\/p>\n

The crossing had originally been slated for completion in 2025, but organizers said record rainfall and flooding during two consecutive springs substantially disrupted the construction schedule. Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n

The 101 has long acted as a major barrier for animals in the region, leaving wildlife populations isolated on either side of the heavily traveled freeway. Pedro Colo for CA Post<\/p>\n

The 101 has long acted as a major barrier for animals in the region, leaving wildlife populations isolated on either side of the heavily traveled freeway, according to Caltrans.<\/p>\n

The crossing will eventually be covered with native vegetation designed to blend into the surrounding landscape and allow animals to move between habitats without venturing onto the freeway.<\/p>\n

Ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Dec. 2, with a public P-22 Legacy Celebration taking place at King Gillette Ranch the same day.<\/p>\n

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