Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is a vegetated overpass in the Hollywood Hills that spans 210 feet across the four-lane US Highway 101, connecting the Santa Monica Mountains with the Simi Hills. The structure allows deer, mountain lions, and other wildlife to cross this heavily traveled road safely.

Scientists identified Liberty Canyon in the 1990s as an ideal location for wildlife passage and began systematically acquiring land around the proposed crossing site. The project was ultimately built to reduce deadly collisions between animals and vehicles on this stretch of highway.

The crossing gained public attention after P-22, a mountain lion who crossed two highways to reach Griffith Park, became a symbol of wildlife protection. This project shows how communities can support animals in their daily lives.

Visitors can view the structure from several vantage points in the surrounding area, especially from Mulholland Highway or nearby hiking trails. It's free to observe, but requires some planning to see it well since it spans an active, high-traffic highway.

The crossing includes noise reduction materials and specialized lighting systems designed to minimize disturbance from the approximately 300,000 vehicles passing daily. These technical features make it a solution that balances animal welfare with the needs of traffic.