3 Mule Deer Cross California's First $20 Million Highway Wildlife Bridge
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
3 Mule Deer Cross California's First $20 Million Highway Wildlife Bridge
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 4
Summary
Camera traps recorded three mule deer crossing the new Route 97 overpass in Siskiyou County days before final fencing work is finished, showing wildlife is already using the structure.
The $20 million project is California's first wildlife crossing over a major highway and is meant to cut collisions and roadkill by funneling migrating deer, elk and other animals away from traffic.
At that site, 50 deer and 16 elk were killed between 2015 and 2020; statewide, drivers kill nearly 50,000 mule deer a year—about 10% of the herd—along with roughly 100 mountain lions.
Caltrans and researchers are treating the bridge as a test case for more crossings, including the Wallis Annenberg project over the 10-lane 101 freeway, due to open later this year.
As California builds more wildlife crossings, are we choosing the most critical locations for maximum impact?
Beyond the high price tag, what is the true financial and safety return on these wildlife overpasses?
What design secrets and hidden science actually convince animals to use these multi-million dollar bridges?
California’s First Wildlife Overpass on SR-97: Early Success Reduces Collisions and Reconnects Habitats
Overview
California has achieved a major milestone in wildlife conservation and road safety with its first dedicated wildlife overpass on State Route 97. The overpass quickly proved effective when mule deer became the first to use it, highlighting the urgent need for such infrastructure. This early success shows the overpass can reconnect fragmented habitats, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and support healthier wildlife populations. By providing safe passage for animals, the project not only protects wildlife but also makes roads safer for people, signaling a promising future for both ecological connectivity and public safety in the state.