SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans begins work on a first-of-its-kind wildlife overcrossing in Northern California.

This is part of a project called the Wildfire Crossing Structure Project located on U.S. 97 in Siskiyou County near Grass Lake, from approximately 1.4 miles north of Deer Mountain Road to 0.6 mile north of the Grass Lake Rest Area (Post Mile 18.0 to 22.4). Senator Megan Dahle said the goal of the overcrossing is to reduce vehicle collisions involving elk, deer, pronghorn and other wildlife that frequently cross this stretch of highway. Caltrans added that the project area has the highest recorded wildlife-vehicle conflict rate in District 2, with over 50 deer and 16 elk fatalities recorded between 2015 and 2020.

Wildfire Crossing Structure Project includes construction of a single-span, approximately 100-foot long by 140-foot wide wildlife overcrossing bridge at Post Mile 19.77. Caltrans crew will also install approximately two miles of 8-foot-high wildlife exclusion fencing on both sides of the highway, jump-outs every half mile to allow wildlife to escape the roadway corridor, cattle guards at private road access points and a reinforced concrete box culvert to enhance wildlife undercrossing opportunities.

Senator Dahle added that motorists traveling on U.S. Route 97 that area should prepare for intermittent full closures and up to 30-minute delays throughout July. The project is expected to take 100 working days to complete, with traffic control required on 40 of those days. According to Caltrans, the project will cost $15.1 million (construction capital only).

To find out more and stay updated, visit QuickMap or follow Caltrans District 2 on Facebook.

Report a correction or typo.