This week atop a monumental wildlife bridge in California, butterflies danced in the air while a red-tailed hawk glided overhead, with a gentle breeze stirring the 6,000 native plants such as poppies and purple sage. Below, a 10-lane freeway accommodates approximately 400,000 vehicles daily, a stark contrast to the serenity above.
When construction commenced four years ago, there was considerable excitement surrounding the initiative. The wildlife crossing, located in northern Los Angeles County, is set to become the largest of its type worldwide, designed to facilitate safe passage for wildlife species including mountain lions, bobcats, and lizards.
However, in recent weeks, the bridge has attracted negative attention. An op-ed published by the Murdoch-owned California Post in March by two writers from the conservative Manhattan Institute criticized the $114 million endeavor, asserting that it exceeded budgetary constraints and labeling it a "jobs program for environmentalists" and a "multimillion-dollar bridge to nowhere." This sentiment was echoed across various conservative platforms, including Fox News and remarks from Sean Duffy, a former transportation secretary under Trump.
Beth Pratt, the California regional executive director with the National Wildlife Federation and the project’s public representative, faced immediate backlash characterized by hostile messages, disparaging her intelligence and even threatening her wellbeing. "The hate was really ugly," Pratt recounts. "We had to contact law enforcement."
Despite the inundation of criticism from right-wing sources, the wildlife crossing is nearing completion, with Pratt announcing that it will officially be "open for animal business" on December 2, following an Earth Day event.
Pratt acknowledged that the project faced challenges that were beyond initial projections, attributing some setbacks to environmental and economic factors. Once slated for completion in 2025, construction was impacted by two consecutive years of unprecedented rains and flooding after groundbreaking in 2022. Consequently, the completion schedule was amended, leading to a revised target of 2026. "We have experienced no major delays since then," Pratt confirmed.
"I welcome hard questions," she remarked regarding the California Post's editorial, sharing a comprehensive 10-page response she submitted in relation to their inquiries. "This was not that. They ignored the facts and literally printed misinformation." She clarified that the bridge serves a definite purpose, providing connectivity between the Santa Monica Mountains, and noted that the cost increases mentioned failed to account for inflation.
Concerning the budget, Pratt emphasized that similar increases are common across construction projects nationwide. The National Highway Construction Cost Index, a metric tracked by the Federal Highway Administration, has risen by 67% since 2021, exacerbating the timelines for infrastructure developments nationwide.
In spring 2025, while gathering bids for the second phase of the project, skyrocketing inflation resulted in costs ascending by 23%, from $93 million to $114 million, still below the average rise for highway construction at that time, she explained.
In response to Pratt's critique of their reporting, Christopher Rufo, one of the op-ed authors, remarked to the Guardian that "Beth Pratt seems like a quirky, well-meaning woman who has no business running a major infrastructure project," reiterating concerns about delays and budget overruns.
As a precaution, the National Wildlife Federation has implemented enhanced security measures and revised protocols to ensure the safety of Pratt and her team involved in the crossing. "Not everyone agrees on conservation projects, and we have always been transparent in talking about cost and timing," Pratt noted. "But if bullies think they're going to stop the work, they don't know me. I'm from Boston."
Atop the expansive concrete structure, the online discord was absent. The Earth Day event showcased a tranquil scene, seamlessly integrating with the natural environment. It was easy to envision how fauna, such as lizards and mountain lions, might navigate this landscaped passageway.
The flourishing flora has already attracted butterflies and caterpillars, a positive indication according to Jewlya Samaniego, who co-managed the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Native Plant Nursery, responsible for nurturing the thousands of native plants now covering the bridge.
An intriguing detail includes the presence of a western fence lizard named Bob residing at the stairway entrance of the crossing, alongside a presently unnamed rattlesnake at the base. Their habitation is a promising sign of the project’s commitment to fostering biodiversity and coexistence. "I just hope everybody can see how much love that we put into this," Samaniego expressed, surveying the vibrant greenery. "We really put our heart and soul into each plant that we grew."
Beyond the freeway overpass, construction activities are ongoing. As observers gaze out across the site, workers are erecting a second large structure that will span a local road to link the overpass with the surrounding hilly terrain. Upon completion later this summer, approximately 3 million cubic feet of soil—equivalent to half of SoFi Stadium’s volume—will be transported in to establish a seamless connection between the overpass and the adjacent landscapes. Additionally, construction teams are building berms designed to mitigate noise and light pollution.
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