Wildlife crossing drives down collisions on Highway 17
March 31, 2026
Wildlife crossing drives down collisions on Highway 17
This stretch of Highway 17 carries more than 60,000 cars daily and was once a high-risk area for deer and mountain lions.
This stretch of Highway 17 carries more than 60,000 cars daily and was once a high-risk area for deer and mountain lions.
The conservation group, Environment California, led a tour Tuesday of the Highway 17 Laurel Road undercrossing in Santa Cruz County.
The goal of the crossing is to give wildlife a tunnel under the highway, protecting the animals and keeping drivers safe from crashes.
WATCH HERE“Since this was built, before there were 77 animals that were hit over a three-year period, and there’s only been one incident on this section of road since this wildlife crossing went in,” Sam Trazona of Environment California said.
Caltrans said this stretch of Highway 17 carries more than 60,000 cars daily.
Before the tunnel was built, it was a high-risk area for wildlife collisions, including deer and mountain lions, who were hit by human traffic.
The undercrossing was made possible in 2023 thanks to a group effort from activists, state agencies and local governments. The tunnel cost $12.5 million, including money raised from a local tax measure.
Environment California is also working on a federal initiative to re-authorize a pilot program to create more wildlife crossings throughout the U.S.
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