Add The California Post on Google Southern California’s long-awaited $114 million wildlife bridge is finally getting its grand opening — and humans will have to cough up $10 to watch it happen.
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.
The festivities will take place at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., reported NBC.
Admission costs $10 for anyone 13 and older and $5 for children 12 and under, with tickets now on sale.
“What 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,” said Beth Pratt, President and CEO of the Wildlife Crossing Fund.
“Ribbon-cutting is going to be an emotional time for so many of our supporters around the globe, and for those who can’t attend our celebrations in person, we’ll be broadcasting it live.”
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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’s busiest freeways.
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.
Originally expected to cost $92 million and be completed by 2025, the project’s price tag has since climbed to $114 million.
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.
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.
Pratt said completing the bridge will not mark the end of that work.
“Ribbon-cutting for me also represents a beginning, not an ending. Our efforts for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing don’t end after construction is complete — continuing the landmark research and ongoing habitat restoration is key.”
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.
