A key commuter route between Los Angeles and Malibu is set to shut down for two months as work ramps up on California’s controversial wildlife crossing project — potentially causing traffic chaos.
It’s a move that’s likely to frustrate drivers in a brutal part of one the country’s most congested city’s.
Agoura Hills Road in Agoura Hills will be closed to all traffic, cyclists and pedestrians on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July 1, according to Caltrans, as construction continues on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.
The closure affects the stretch between Rondell Street and Hydepark Dribe — a well-used local connector running parallel to the 101 freeway — forcing drivers onto the already-busy freeway for detours between Chesebro Road and Liberty Canyon Road.
Transportation officials say signage will guide motorists, while a free shuttle service will run every 30 minutes during closure hours to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
The disruptions are tied to the ongoing work on the massive infrastructure project spanning the 101 Freeway that aims to reconnect animal habitats — including deadly mountain lions that are known locally to rip apart residents pets — across the Santa Monica Mountains.
But while officials and environmental groups have touted the crossing as the first-of-its-kind solution for wildlife migration, the project has drawn scrutiny — particularly over its soaring price tag.
The crossing is expected to cost at least $114 million, as previously reported by the California Post. A figure significantly higher than earlier estimates that hovered closer to $90 to $100 million. Critics have questioned the spending, especially as California continues to grapple with budget pressures and infrastructure needs elsewhere.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has backed the project, even as some opponets have mocked the idea of spending tens of millions on what they characterize as a “bridge for mountain lions.”
Supporters argue the stakes are higher than optics. Wildlife experts cited by LAist say the 101 Freeway has effectively isolated animal opoulations in the region, particularly mountain lions, leading to dangerous inbreeding and making vehicle collisions a leading cause of death.
The crossing — which began construction on Earth Day 2022 — will open to wildlife on Dec. 2, per LAist— though it was supposed to open in 2025.
In the meantime, though, drivers navigating the corridor between Los Angeles and Malibu will be dealing with real-world impact: months of closures, detours and longer commutes tied to one of the most expensive wildlife projects in the country.
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