{"id":1014019,"date":"2026-08-21T02:13:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T02:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1014019\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T02:13:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T02:13:15","slug":"114m-wallis-annenberg-wildlife-crossing-opens-but-theres-a-10-catch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1014019\/","title":{"rendered":"$114M Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing opens but there\u2019s a $10 catch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Southern California\u2019s long-awaited $114 million wildlife bridge<\/a> is finally getting its grand opening \u2014 and humans will have to cough up $10 to watch it happen.<\/p>\n

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing<\/a> will be celebrated with a public ribbon-cutting on Dec. 2, marking a major milestone for the years-in-the-making project spanning the busy 101 Freeway.<\/p>\n

Southern California\u2019s long-awaited $114 million wildlife bridge is finally getting its grand opening\u2014 and humans will have to cough up $10 to watch animals get their own freeway crossing.<\/p>\n

The festivities will take place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., reported NBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Admission costs $10 for anyone 13 and older and $5 for children 12 and under, with tickets now on sale<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will be celebrated with a public ribbon-cutting on Dec. 2, marking a major milestone for the years-in-the-making project spanning the busy 101 Freeway. Wildlife Crossings<\/p>\n

The event \u2014 presented by the National Wildlife Federation\u2019s #SaveLACougars campaign and the Wildlife Crossing Fund \u2014 will also celebrate the legacy of P-22, the famous mountain lion whose story helped galvanize efforts to protect Southern California\u2019s urban wildlife.<\/p>\n

The bridge is being pitched as a once-in-a-generation conservation fix, but its almost $100 million price tag has divided even animal lovers. CalTrans District 7<\/p>\n

The event \u2014 presented by the National Wildlife Federation\u2019s #SaveLACougars campaign and the Wildlife Crossing Fund \u2014 will also celebrate the legacy of P-22. NBC 4<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a momentous time for all of us who have watched the crossing go from an impossible dream to an actual structure rising over the freeway that will ensure the future of mountain lions and all wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains,\u201d said Beth Pratt, President and CEO of the Wildlife Crossing Fund.<\/p>\n

\u201cRibbon-cutting is going to be an emotional time for so many of our supporters around the globe, and for those who can\u2019t attend our celebrations in person, we\u2019ll be broadcasting it live.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The crossing is designed to reconnect wildlife habitat fractured by roads and give mountain lions and other animals a safe route over one of Southern California\u2019s busiest freeways.<\/p>\n

The massive 210-foot-long, 174-foot-wide span is made up of 26 million pounds of concrete and is designed to support up to four feet of soil and thousands of native plants.<\/p>\n

The crossing is designed to reconnect wildlife habitat fractured by roads and give mountain lions and other animals a safe route over one of Southern California\u2019s busiest freeways. CalTrans District 7<\/p>\n

Originally expected to cost $92 million and be completed by 2025, the project\u2019s price tag has since climbed to $114 million. NBC 4<\/p>\n

Originally expected to cost $92 million and be completed by 2025, the project\u2019s price tag has since climbed to $114 million.<\/p>\n

Construction has caused its share of headaches for Calabasas drivers, including closures along Agoura Road and the northbound 101 on-ramp at Liberty Canyon as crews pushed toward completion.<\/p>\n

The National Wildlife Federation launched its #SaveLACougars campaign in 2014 after being inspired by P-22, who famously crossed both the 405 and 101 freeways before making Griffith Park his home.<\/p>\n

The National Wildlife Federation launched its #SaveLACougars campaign in 2014 after being inspired by P-22, who famously crossed both the 405 and 101 freeways before making Griffith Park his home. Friends of Griffith Park<\/p>\n

The Dec. 2 celebration will include tributes to P-22, while attendees will also have the chance to cut their own virtual ribbon, according to the outlet. NBC 4<\/p>\n

His story helped draw attention and private donations to the crossing, which aims to prevent wildlife populations in the Santa Monica Mountains from becoming increasingly isolated.<\/p>\n

Pratt said completing the bridge will not mark the end of that work.<\/p>\n

\u201cRibbon-cutting for me also represents a beginning, not an ending. Our efforts for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing don\u2019t end after construction is complete \u2014 continuing the landmark research and ongoing habitat restoration is key.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dec. 2 celebration will include tributes to P-22, while attendees will also have the chance to cut their own virtual ribbon, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n

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