New Wildlife Crossing Nears Completion on Highway 97 in Siskiyou County

A new wildlife crossing in Siskiyou County is nearly complete, marking a major step toward safer roads and healthier ecosystems in Northern California.

Caltrans is finishing work on the structure along U.S. Highway 97 near Grass Lake, an area known for frequent vehicle collisions involving deer and elk. The crossing will provide animals a safe route over the busy corridor, helping reduce crashes while reconnecting fragmented wildlife habitats.

Officials say the project is a win for both safety and conservation. Highway 97 is one of the Northstate’s key transportation routes — and one of its most dangerous for wildlife. The crossing is expected to open soon, according to Caltrans District 2.

California has been investing heavily in wildlife corridors in recent years. Farther south, the landmark Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is under construction over the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles County, designed to reconnect mountain lion populations in the Santa Monica Mountains. In Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, smaller crossings have been added under Highway 101 to protect black bears, bobcats, and deer.

In the Northstate, this new project near Grass Lake is seen as a model for future efforts to reduce animal-vehicle collisions along rural highways that cut through migration routes.

As wildlife faces increasing pressure from development and climate change, crossings like these are helping restore safe passage, and saving both animal and human lives along the way.