California’s unfinished wildlife ‘bridge to nowhere’ tops $100M
By Christopher F. Rufo
Published on March 18, 2026.
California's $100M wildlife crossing project, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing (WAWC), is nearly four years overdue and $21 million over budget. The project, which includes an overpass for animals atop ten lanes of the 101 Freeway in Southern California, was originally planned for 2022 and was expected to be the world's largest wildlife crossing. However, it has now become a jobs program for environmental activists, with WAWC leader Beth Pratt suggesting that the cost increases were similar to those faced by other construction projects. The total cost of the project now stands at about $114 million, including $77 million in state funds. While bridge proponents argue that the overpass could help protect the local mountain lion population, researchers suggest it may not be the only solution to ensure its survival.
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