The bridge to nowhere


I was shocked to learn on Page 3 of last week’s Acorn that the estimated cost of the wildlife bridge across the 101 Freeway is now $89 million. Wasn’t it only $50 million just a year ago?

And who are we kidding? We all know it’s going to end up at $100 million. Someone is going to make a killing here.

We are told that big predators like mountain lions face possible extinction within 50 years. I remember that they said the same thing 40 years ago when I came to Los Angeles.

But wait, there’s more. On Page 22 of the same issue I read that 13 mountain lion kittens were discovered between May and August by the National Park Service. Who is going to tell the animals after we spent $90 million they must now use the new bridge and not risk their lives crossing the freeway? What if they decide they don’t like the bridge and they prefer to use the wildwood corridor?

I see there is already an existing bridge at Liberty Canyon used by motorists. How come we can’t use this existing bridge and just build a wall underneath it on both sides, which will create a tunnel-like passage for the animals and will cost much less.

I don’t think P-65, 66 and 67 will mind if we can save millions in taxpayer money.

William Avnon
Thousand Oaks
Editor’s note: The group behind the wildlife bridge has pledged to complete the project with private funds and grants, not taxpayer money. KJ