"If you're trying to compact a mud puddle, it wouldn't really compact, right?" Robert Rock asked during an October construction update. He is the lead landscape architect and principal designer of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, and he was speaking at a trailhead off Agoura Road. The Los Angeles Times reported his comments.
He was describing the one thing that could still push back a date Agoura Hills has watched for years. The crossing over the 101 at Liberty Canyon is scheduled to open on December 2, 2026. Rock's concern is heavy winter rain on soil rich in clay and silt.
December 2 opens the crossing to wildlife. It does not open a path for people. The project's own FAQ says there will be no trails or public access on the crossing itself. That was a decision made during community planning to give animals every chance at safe passage. Agoura Hills will get to know the world's largest wildlife crossing from its edges. For now, the people living next to it mostly experience it as a road closure. That changes over the next five weeks.
Where the Work Stands at the End of October
The bridge is done. Most of the project's remaining work is in the dirt around it. The Los Angeles Times reported on October 8 that the concrete span crosses 10 lanes of traffic and is already planted with about 6,000 native plants. Crews had also recently finished a second overpass over Agoura Road.
| Piece of the project | Status in October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Bridge over the 101 | Complete, planted with about 6,000 native plants |
| Bridge over Agoura Road | Deck recently completed |
| Soil fill linking both bridges to the slopes | In progress, about 3 million cubic feet |
| Surrounding habitat restoration | Expected to continue after the wildlife opening |
The soil fill is the last big piece, and it explains the El Niño worry. Crews lay the soil in layers and run a roller over each one. Some rain is manageable, but flooding would stop work for safety reasons. "We're just hoping El Niño's on our side," Beth Pratt, president of the Wildlife Crossing Fund, told the Times.
Spectrum News reported that Pratt called the soil connection the last major "stitch." National Park Service biologist Jeff Sikich said cameras had already recorded bobcats, coyotes, deer and mountain lions around the site. The Acorn covered the same October 8 briefing. Rorie Skei, deputy director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, also spoke there, along with NPS wildlife scientist Seth Riley, who discussed how the crossing will be monitored.
The $114 million project exists because of those mountain lions. Traffic has cut off the Santa Monica Mountains population, and the crossing is meant to reconnect it with cats in the Simi Hills and beyond.
November Is Still a Construction Month on Agoura Road
The quicker schedule has a local cost, and it falls on Agoura Road. A Caltrans notice posted by the City of Agoura Hills lists a full closure of Agoura Road between Rondell Street and Hydepark Drive. It runs Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., from September 16 through November 30. During work hours, no through traffic of any kind may pass, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Late October is the exception. Caltrans canceled the Agoura Road closures for October 15 through October 30 so it could close the northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp at Liberty Canyon Road. The notice says Agoura Road and the Liberty Canyon ramps will not be closed at the same time. It also says the 101 ramps at Liberty Canyon may close from time to time. Plan for Agoura Road to be closed again on weekdays after October 30, and check the city's notices for any further changes. All closures depend on weather and may change.
The posted detour sends drivers onto the 101 between Chesebro Road and Liberty Canyon Road. During closure hours, a free shuttle runs every 30 minutes for pedestrians and cyclists. Eastbound pickup is at Dorothy Drive and Chesebro Road, and westbound pickup is at Liberty Canyon and Agoura Road.
No traffic notice has been posted yet for opening day itself. The Caltrans and city updates are the places to check as December 2 gets closer.
Where the Crossing Can Actually Be Seen
The bridge is closed to people, so the views are on the hillsides around it. Most of the ways to see it are already part of the area's weekends.
- The trails on both sides of the freeway. The FAQ says the construction site is closed, but trails on the north and south sides of the 101 at Liberty Canyon offer views of the work. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority lists Fran Pavley Meadow as a trail access point. From there, trails lead east into the 400-acre Liberty Canyon Open Space and north toward Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyons, which have developed parking and restrooms.
- The live camera. The project runs a construction camera that refreshes every ten minutes. It also appears on savelacougars.org.
- A viewing platform, eventually. The FAQ says a viewing platform will be built for the best views of the crossing. It does not say when it will open.
- Docent-led hikes. The project's docent tour page describes free guided tours by reservation that view the work from a distance. For now, tours are on a short break while the booking system is updated.
The trails will matter more after December 2. The habitat around the bridge is expected to keep developing after wildlife are let in, and restoration and some planting will continue past the opening. The native plants on the crossing came from local stock. The project built a nursery in 2022 and grew plants there from seeds, acorns and mushrooms collected on site. Native oaks and willows from the site are part of the plan as well.
December 2 Happens in Calabasas, on a Big Screen
The public celebration will not be at the bridge. According to the #SaveLACougars ribbon-cutting page and LAist's guide to the day, the festival is at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy in Calabasas, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will have partner exhibits, music and special guests. The ribbon-cutting at the crossing will be shown live on a large screen, and there is a virtual ribbon for guests to cut themselves.
- Tickets: required for entry
- Suggested donation: $10 for guests 13 and older, $5 for children 12 and under, benefiting the National Wildlife Federation's #SaveLACougars campaign
- Group discounts or scholarships: may be available by email request
- Livestream: planned for the ceremony, with viewing details not yet posted
A separate reception from 2 to 5 p.m. is for legacy-partner donors and ribbon-cutting sponsors. A festival ticket does not include it.
King Gillette Ranch is a 588-acre public park with hiking of its own, so the festival can be paired with a walk. Anyone who wants to see the bridge the same day will need to go to the Liberty Canyon trails.
What Comes After the Ribbon
The National Wildlife Federation's August 20 announcement treats December 2 as a starting point. December 2 also launches a partnership between the NWF and the Wildlife Crossing Fund. The Fund will support habitat care on and around the bridge, the native plant nursery, education programs and long-term wildlife research in the Santa Monica Mountains.
For neighbors who want to help, the FAQ says volunteer roles are offered year-round. Most are at events, and some are at the native plant nursery. The contact is Kimberly Basso, NWF's volunteer coordinator, at [email protected].
For a stop after a morning on the Liberty Canyon trails, Agoura Road gained a new gathering place this summer. Malibu Brewing Company opened its second location at 29281 Agoura Road on August 25, according to Patch. It has 190 seats and a 115-seat all-weather patio. The building is the former longtime home of Ladyface Ale Companie. The brewery released a Ladyface IPA to mark the opening. It is named for the mountain visible from the taproom windows and patio.
The weekday Agoura Road closure between Rondell Street and Hydepark Drive is scheduled to end November 30, two days before the crossing opens to wildlife.
If you would like a weekend map of the Liberty Canyon trailheads, or have questions about how the Agoura Road closures affect your routines this November, Renee Rosen is glad to help. Renee follows local changes like this one closely and enjoys sharing them with neighbors.
