Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings Project Moves Forward

The long-anticipated Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossing Project reached a significant milestone with completion of the environmental review by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen). This is a significant step forward for this project that will enhance both wildlife health and safety and recreational access across the heavily used Highway 17 in an area that is a known roadkill hotspot.

Midpen, with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), are working to construct a wildlife undercrossing and a separate trail overcrossing across Highway 17 to improve wildlife passage, habitat connectivity and regional trail connections. Midpen’s review of the project met the criteria of both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), making the project eligible for federal funding.

“Given the ongoing growth of developed areas into the wildland-urban interface, the health of our ecosystems depends on both open space conservation and wildlife connectivity,” said Midpen General Manager Ana María Ruiz. “This project is demonstrating how we can move the needle forward to expand wildlife connectivity regionally through unique partnerships between transportation and conservation agencies.”

The project now moves into the final design phase which will include sound walls, aesthetics and wildlife fencing.

“These types of projects are a great opportunity for public agencies to engage and collaborate to provide critical infrastructure improvements for wildlife connectivity,” said Brian Gassner, Caltrans Environmental Branch Chief for Caltrans District 4. “Caltrans’ Bay Area continues to strengthen partnerships by seeking coordinated and creative solutions that reconnect wildlife corridors across transportation infrastructure. Wildlife crossings not only provide a benefit to wildlife, but also improve the safety and reliability of our transportation network.”

The current estimated cost of the project is $39 million. Midpen has committed to funding $14 million through Measure AA, a thirty-year $300 million bond measure passed by voters in 2014 to support open space projects in Midpen’s Vision Plan. The project has also received more than $8 million in grant funds to date. If the remaining needed funding of approximately $17 million is secured, construction is expected to begin in spring of 2027, with anticipated completion by fall 2028.

“The Highway 17 wildlife crossing is a vital action to reconnect fragmented habitats and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, allowing Nature’s intricate web of life to function properly,” said Neal Sharma, who leads Wildlife Conservation Network’s California Wildlife Program. “This project is an essential piece of a regional effort to safeguard ecological connectivity, complementing similar efforts in Coyote Valley, Highway 152 in Pacheco Pass, Highway 101 in San Benito County, and beyond. Together, we can ensure a vibrant future for generations to come.”

For more information about Midpen’s Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings project, please visit openspace.org/HWY17.