District 2 illustration
By Mario Montalvo
District 2 public information officer
Caltrans District 2 is paving the way to safer crossings for our wildlife neighbors with several projects focused on the development and enhancement of wildlife crossings across Northern California. These initiatives are not just about protecting wildlife but also about ensuring the safety of motorists.
Redding Environmental Office Supervisor Wes Stroud, an enthusiastic advocate for these crossings, said two major studies are in progress, one in Lassen County and the other in Siskiyou County. These studies aim to identify existing wildlife crossings and potential new sites where crossings could be beneficial.
In Lassen County, the project on U.S. Highway 395 from the Nevada border to Honey Lake is a collaboration with the Lassen County Transportation Commission, Wildlands, UC Davis, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The project focuses on evaluating existing culverts and bridges.
“Caltrans and its partners are essentially looking at that corridor and figuring out what crossing opportunities currently exist,” Stroud said. “We are putting cameras on bridges and culverts and then some of the cameras are even put up at ground level so we can see what happens when the animal interacts with the road.”
This data will help Caltrans determine which structures need modifications or where new crossings should be constructed.
In Siskiyou County, the project on Interstate 5 from the Oregon border to Weed involves partners such as the non-profit organization Ore-Cal RC&D, Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission, Wildlands, and UC Davis. The goal is similar, to improve wildlife connectivity along this stretch of I-5 by assessing current crossings and identifying necessary improvements.
These studies will culminate in the development of a 60 percent design for wildlife overcrossings at a key location within each study area. “This preliminary design phase is critical as it enables Caltrans and our partners to seek additional funding for the final design and construction,” Stroud said.
A project already in the works is the U.S. Highway 97 Wildlife Overcrossing north of Weed, which is set to be Northern California's first wildlife overcrossing.
“I think it's going to be constructed before the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills,” Stroud said. “Theirs is so big that ours may actually finish construction first.” With an estimated completion date of 2026, this project aims to restore a ridge-top pathway for wildlife, significantly improving connectivity for local species.
District 2 illustration
Looking ahead, Caltrans is establishing a Wildlife Priority Action Committee (WildPAC) to prioritize wildlife crossing projects, like how it manages fish passage projects.
“We’re also partnering with local agencies, nonprofits, and tribal groups to enhance wildlife connectivity across the state,” Stroud said. These partnerships are essential for leveraging resources and expertise, making our initiatives more effective, he said.
As part of Caltrans’ commitment to climate adaptation and safety, it’s incorporating wildlife connectivity measures into new road projects. This includes removing barriers created by new infrastructure, ensuring animals can safely cross highways, and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.
These wildlife crossings are crucial for several reasons. They reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, enhancing the safety of both motorists and animals. Crossings also allow animals to move freely across their habitats, which is vital for their survival, especially as they adapt to changing climates. “As stewards of California's environmental resources, it is our responsibility to ensure our infrastructure supports both human and wildlife communities,” Stroud said.
Caltrans’ ongoing and future wildlife crossing projects demonstrate its commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and collaboration. Through strategic planning, partnerships, and innovative design, we are working to create a safer and more connected California for all its inhabitants.