After overcoming cost overruns, relentless rain, and construction hurdles, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the world’s largest wildlife bridge, now has a firm opening date: December 2, 2026.

Project leaders announced the milestone during an Earth Day news conference on April 22, celebrating a journey that began four-and-a-half years ago in Agoura Hills, California. Spanning 10 lanes of the notoriously busy 101 Freeway, the bridge's main section is already largely complete, complete with lush landscaping.

Remaining tasks include constructing a crossing over Agoura Road and linking both ends to surrounding open spaces, creating a seamless pathway for animals to traverse the urban barrier safely.

“What a journey this has been! And we cannot wait to celebrate with you all,” the team shared enthusiastically.

Even before full connectivity, wildlife is showing interest. Beth Pratt, California’s regional director for the National Wildlife Federation, has documented butterflies, multiple species fluttering atop the structure and at least eight bird species, including red-tailed hawks and American kestrels soaring overhead. “Wildlife are already responding to it, even though it’s not connected to the landscape,” Pratt told KNX News Radio.

The bridge addresses a critical ecological crisis: habitat fragmentation caused by the 101 Freeway, which isolates mountain lions and other species in the Santa Monica Mountains. Southern California’s iconic mountain lions suffer from inbreeding due to limited genetic exchange, leading to health issues and population decline. By reconnecting habitats, the crossing aims to restore diversity for these big cats, as well as deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and black bears—animals frequently struck by vehicles on the highway.

The public can join the excitement by voting online for which creature will be the first to cross, turning science into a community spectacle.

Originally greenlit in 2022 with a $90 million budget and 2025 target, the project ballooned to $114 million, funded by private donations (including a landmark gift from philanthropist Wallis Annenberg) and public sources. Delays stemmed from near-record rainfall saturating the site in 2023 and 2024, plus inflation, labor shortages, and the engineering feat of crafting a "living ecosystem" over a high-traffic artery.

Critics, especially conservatives, have lambasted it as emblematic of California’s wasteful spending. In response, project managers published a blog post earlier this month, emphasizing the unprecedented complexity: “This is not a standard overpass. Engineers are effectively building a living ecosystem over 10 lanes of one of the busiest freeways in the country. The criticism often flattens a far more complicated reality.”

When complete, the 210-foot-wide bridge planted with native shrubs, grasses, and trees will mimic the surrounding chaparral, fooling animals into seeing it as natural terrain. It's a bold step in "green infrastructure," proving humans can build for both cars and critters.