SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Santa Cruz County wildlife will soon have a safer way to cross Highway 17.
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The $5.4 million wildlife tunnel project crosses under the heavily-driven roadway at Laurel Curve – or about halfway between Los Gatos and Scotts Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Research for the project started in 2012 using information collected from wildlife cameras, collared pumas and animal-vehicle crash data, according to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.
Deer, bobcats, foxes and mountain lions are among the animals caught on camera trying to cross Highway 17.
Because of mountain lions’ "low effective genetic population size," the tunnel represents a critical point for creating "a safe passage under Highway 17 for facilitating mountain lion movement between sub-populations in the south."
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, Caltrans and the Regional Transportation Commission are involved in the project.
The crossing is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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