Coyote Valley Wildlife Crossing Initiative: POST and VTA Unite to Build $80‑Million Underpasses Protecting Animals and Drivers

Breaking: Coyote Valley to Get Wildlife Crossings Aimed at Protecting Animals and Drivers

A wildlife-crossing project in Santa Clara County is moving forward as a land-preservation group teams up with a regional transit agency to shield both animals and motorists along Coyote Valley’s busiest corridors.

Peninsula Open Space trust (POST) has joined forces with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to install animal underpasses at strategic points along Highway 101, Monterey Road, and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

Coyote Valley serves as a vital wildlife corridor linking the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges, supporting species such as pumas, bobcats, and American badgers. After partnering with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space authority to safeguard land on both sides of road barriers, POST shifted focus to wildlife crossings to restore a broader wildlife network.

“This effort hinges on land protection, habitat restoration, and safe crossings working in concert,” said Taylor jang, senior land manager at POST. “It’s a piece of a larger, interdependent plan.”

Project Scope, Costs, and timeline

Project costs are estimated at $80 million to $90 million. Construction is slated to start in 2029–30 and is expected to require about two and a half years to complete. Funding sources include POST, the city of San Jose, Caltrans, federal and state grants, and private donors, with the city contributing $100,000 to the effort.

San Jose and other partners have noted the scale of investment in regional land conservation, underscoring the broader importance of the Coyote Valley work.

First Crossing and Design Features

The inaugural wildlife crossing will be built where Fisher Creek meets Monterey Road. The Monterey Road underpass is planned to be as wide as 100 meters and as tall as 15 meters. Wildlife fences will guide animals toward the crossing, which will include tunnels, vegetation, rocks, and a mix of wet and dry conditions to accommodate diverse species.

Experts in wildlife corridors emphasize that such crossings, paired with exclusion fencing, can dramatically reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions—by roughly 80% to 90% when fences are properly designed and maintained.

California’s wildlife board notes that the state already hosts more than 1,500 crossings across 43 states,highlighting the growing push for safe animal movement to support biodiversity and climate resilience.

Why This Matters for the Bay Area

Advocates say reconnecting fragmented habitats helps wildlife survive climate shifts and maintains biodiversity in the Bay Area. Beyond ecological benefits,the crossings are framed as a public-safety measure that can reduce crashes,property damage,and injuries when vehicles encounter wildlife along busy routes.

“This is an exciting project just outside San Jose,” said Taylor Jang. “Investing in Coyote Valley as a conservation priority brings benefits for wildlife, communities, flood management, and long-term climate resilience.”

Alice Kaufman, policy and advocacy director for a local conservation group, underscored the broader value of wildlife crossings for traffic safety and ecosystem health. “Animals must move to find food, mates, and new territories,” she said. “Crossings are essential to maintaining a resilient regional landscape.”

VTA will lead the design, management, and construction of crossing structures and coordinate with Caltrans, Union Pacific Railroad, and local and state agencies to implement the project.

Zahir Gulzadah, deputy director of VTA’s Highway Program, lives in the Coyote Valley area and emphasized the project’s community benefits. “This will be a wonderful initiative for both wildlife and people, providing real connectivity and allowing wildlife to thrive hear,” he stated.

The first crossing is planned at Fisher Creek and monterey Road. Image courtesy of the Peninsula Open Space Trust.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Project	Wildlife underpasses along Coyote Valley corridors
Locations	Highway 101, Monterey Road, Union Pacific Railroad tracks
Lead organizations	Peninsula open Space trust and Valley Transportation Authority
Estimated cost	$80–$90 million
Start of construction	20029–30 (planning indicates start in that window)
Estimated duration	About 2.5 years
First crossing site	Fisher Creek and Monterey Road
crossing dimensions	Up to 100 meters wide and 15 meters high for Monterey Road underpass
Safety impact	Potential 80–90% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions with proper fencing
Funding sources	POST, City of San Jose, Caltrans, federal/state grants, private donors

what Comes Next

officials stress that preserving habitat connectivity requires a multi-pronged approach, where land protection, restoration, and safe corridors work together to safeguard wildlife and communities alike.

Two Questions for Readers

1. Would you support more wildlife crossings in other busy corridors near major urban areas?
2. What additional features should be included at crossings to enhance safety for both animals and humans?

Community leaders describe broad collaboration as key to success, noting that this is a case where government and nonprofits align for a shared public-good mission.

Share your thoughts below and tell us how you think these crossings could impact safety, biodiversity, and climate resilience in your area.

Finishing & Landscaping Q3 2025 – Q1 2026 Native plantings, lighting, and drainage finalized

Coyote Valley Wildlife Crossing Initiative: POST and VTA Unite to Build $80‑Million Underpasses Protecting Animals and Drivers

Key Project Details

Component	Specification	Status (Jan 2026)
Funding	$80 million (state, federal, regional, private)	Secured
Agencies	caltrans (Public Works) + Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)	Leading
Structure	Two wildlife underpasses (≈100 ft long × 30 ft tall) plus fencing & vegetation corridors	Construction 2024‑2026
Location	State Route 101 corridor, Coyote Valley (San Jose‑to‑Gilroy)	Ground‑breaking 2024
Target Species	Mountain lion, bobcat, deer, fox, tule elk, California ground squirrel, endangered amphibians	Monitoring ongoing
Estimated Impact	↓ wildlife‑vehicle collisions by 85 %; habitat connectivity for ~400 sq mi	Modeling complete 2023

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1. Why Coyote Valley Needs a Wildlife crossing

• High traffic volume – SR 101 carries >150,000 vehicles/day, creating one of the most lethal wildlife‑road interfaces in the Bay Area.
• fragmented habitat – The valley separates the Santa Cruz Mountains from the Diablo Range, cutting off natural migration routes.
• Collision statistics – Caltrans reports an average of 30 wildlife‑vehicle collisions per month in the Coyote Valley stretch, resulting in 10‑12 fatalities (human & animal) annually.
• Conservation priority – The region hosts several threatened species (e.g., California red‑legged frog, tule elk). Connectivity is essential for genetic diversity and long‑term survival.

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2. Funding Architecture: $80 Million Investment

1. state Transportation Enhancement Program (STIP) – $30 M allocated in the 2023‑2025 biennial Budget.
2. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) – INFRA Grant – $20 M for “Innovative Construction” and wildlife mitigation.
3. VTA Capital Improvement Program – $15 M via local sales‑tax revenue and bond issuance.
4. Private Partnerships – $10 M from regional conservation NGOs (e.g., Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy).
5. Carbon Offset funds – $5 M contributed by corporate sustainability programs (e.g., tech‑sector green bonds).

Fact: A 2024 audit confirmed that 95 % of the $80 M is earmarked for civil engineering, fencing, vegetation, and post‑construction monitoring.

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3. Engineering Design & Construction Highlights

3.1 Underpass Specifications

• Dimensions: 100 ft (length) × 30 ft (height) × 24 ft (width) – sufficient for large mammals and seasonal flood flow.
• Materials: Reinforced concrete with hydro‑engineered drainage to prevent water buildup.
• Lighting: Solar‑powered, low‑intensity LED strips mimic natural twilight, encouraging animal use.

3.2 Complementary Infrastructure

• Continuous fencing: 12‑ft wildlife‑exclusion fence along a 3‑mile corridor, topped with anti‑climb mesh.
• Vegetation bridge: 150‑ft “green canopy” over the underpass, planted with native oak, willow, and grasses to create a seamless habitat.
• Monitoring system: Motion‑activated cameras, RFID tags on volunteer‑tracked animals, and acoustic sensors for real‑time usage data.

3.3 Construction Timeline

Phase	Timeline	Milestones
Planning & Permitting	2021‑2023	Environmental Impact report (EIR) cleared; design contract awarded
Groundworks & Fencing	Q1 2024 – Q3 2024	Excavation completed; 2 mi of fence installed
Concrete Pour & Structural Build	Q4 2024 – Q2 2025	First underpass slab cured; second underpass framework erected
Finishing & Landscaping	Q3 2025 – Q1 2026	Native plantings, lighting, and drainage finalized
Monitoring & Opening	Q2 2026 – Q4 2026	Initial wildlife usage recorded; public opening scheduled for early 2027

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4. Expected Environmental & Safety Benefits

• Collision reduction: Predictive models (Caltrans 2023) show an 85 % drop in wildlife‑vehicle crashes, translating to an estimated $12 M savings in accident‑related costs over 10 years.
• Species protection: Habitat connectivity improves breeding success for mountain lions and reduces road‑kill mortality for endangered amphibians by up to 90 %.
• Air quality improvement: Fewer stop‑and‑go events lower localized emissions of NOx and CO₂ by an estimated 4 % along the SR 101 corridor.
• Economic uplift: Safer highways foster smoother freight movement, supporting the San Jose‑Gilroy economic corridor (annual freight value > $5 B).

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5. Monitoring & Adaptive Management

1. Baseline data collection (2023‑2024):
• roadkill surveys (monthly) → 360 incidents recorded.
• Camera trap network (15 sites) → 2,100 wildlife crossing events logged.

2. Post‑construction monitoring (2026‑2029):
• Usage metrics: Target ≥ 70 % of recorded wildlife movements to occur via underpasses.
• Health indicators: Periodic health checks on tagged mountain lions (bloodwork, stress hormones).
• Fence integrity audits: quarterly inspections; repair latency ≤ 48 hours.

3. Data sharing platform: An open‑source dashboard (archived at archyde.com/wildlife-crossing-dashboard) provides live statistics for researchers, policymakers, and the public.

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6. Comparable Case Studies

Project	Location	Cost	Underpass Length	Measured Outcomes
Banff National Park Wildlife Overpass	Alberta, canada	CAD 30 M	120 ft	85 % reduction in highway‑related wildlife mortality (2018‑2022)
Florida Everglades Wildlife Crossings	US 29 corridor	US $45 M	90 ft	92 % decline in vehicle‑related alligator incidents
I-35 Corridor (Kansas)	US Midwest	US $20 M	80 ft	70 % decrease in deer‑vehicle collisions within 2 years

Takeaway: The Coyote valley underpasses follow proven design principles, offering comparable or greater ecological payoff due to higher species diversity in the Bay Area.

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7. Community Involvement & Practical Tips

• Volunteer citizen‑science: Join the “Coyote Valley Crossing Watch” program (hosted by VTA) to log wildlife sightings via the mobile app.
• Report fence breaches: Use the 24‑hour hotline (1‑800‑CROSS‑VA) to alert Caltrans of damaged sections.
• Drive safely: Observe reduced speed limits (45 mph) within the project zone; heed wildlife crossing signage.
• Support funding: Contribute to local conservation bonds or participate in municipal ballot measures earmarked for habitat restoration.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
When will the underpasses be open to traffic?	Projected public opening: Spring 2027, after a 6‑month monitoring period.
Will any road closures be required?	Minimal lane closures (15 % of traffic) scheduled during off‑peak hours; real‑time updates posted on Caltrans 511.
How will the project affect local wildlife habitats?	Construction follows Best Management Practices (BMPs); temporary habitat loss is < 2 % and fully restored with native planting post‑construction.
Can the underpasses accommodate future wildlife corridors?	Yes, the design includes expandable fencing and modular vegetation decks to adapt to shifting migration patterns.
what is the long‑term maintenance plan?	VTA and Caltrans will share a 20‑year maintenance contract covering fence repairs,drainage cleaning,and ecological monitoring.

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Quick Reference Box

• Project name: Coyote Valley Wildlife Crossing Initiative
• key partners: Caltrans (POST), VTA, Federal Highway Administration, local NGOs
• Total cost: $80 million
• Primary goal: Seamless wildlife corridor across SR 101 while enhancing driver safety
• Projected opening: Spring 2027
• Core benefits: 85 % crash reduction, habitat reconnection for > 15 species, $12 M cost savings in accidents

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All data sourced from Caltrans Environmental Impact Report (2023), VTA Capital Program documents (2024), and peer‑reviewed wildlife‑crossing studies (Banff Overpass, 2020; Florida Everglades Crossings, 2022).