FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Midpen Public Affairs Specialist Ryan McCauley
650-691-1200, rmccauley@openspace.org
Midpen Open Space reaches major milestone with Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings project
Crossings near Los Gatos will connect trails and benefit wildlife, motorists and the community
Los Altos, CA— The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has successfully completed the environmental review for its Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings project. This milestone is a significant step forward for this critical project that will enhance both wildlife health and safety and recreational access across Highway 17, a heavily used transportation route between Silicon Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains that is a known roadkill hotspot.
Midpen, in cooperation 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.
"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 VTA is leading due to their expertise in working on road and transportation projects. Midpen will continue to coordinate closely with VTA on the final design of all project elements, including sound walls, aesthetics and wildlife fencing.
Project Highlights:
- Wildlife Undercrossing: To provide safe passage for animals, with mountain lions and deer being the target species. An undercrossing will be constructed across Highway 17 along Trout Creek to mitigate the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity by linking over 30,000 acres of publicly protected land. By expanding access for wildlife, we can improve the health of the species and help preserve ecological balance. The undercrossing location was determined following extensive analysis of large carnivore GPS and vehicle/wildlife collision data.
- Trail Overcrossing: To enhance access for hikers, cyclists and equestrians while minimizing disruptions to wildlife movement. A separate overcrossing will be constructed across Highway 17 linking over 50 miles of regional trails, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Anza National Historic Trail. New and improved trails will also be constructed adjacent to the overcrossing and in other locations throughout the project area. The trails will connect multiple parks in Santa Clara County, including Sanborn and Lexington Reservoir County Parks, as well as El Sereno, St. Joseph's Hill, and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserves, managed by Midpen.
The project has benefited from strong partnerships. The collaboration with Caltrans has been instrumental in integrating wildlife safety measures into transportation infrastructure. In addition to the wildlife undercrossing, the project will also feature more than 13,000 feet of wildlife directional fencing, funneling wildlife away from the roadway and towards the undercrossing.
“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 environmental review assessed potential impacts and identified mitigation strategies to align with environmental protection goals. 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. The review concluded that the project, with mitigation measures, would not have significant impacts on the environment.
“VTA is excited to continue this vital project, which aligns with our strategic plan goals of partnering with other agencies to deliver safe, efficient capital projects that increase transportation safety and close gaps in regional trail networks,” said VTA Deputy Director of the Highway Program Zahir Gulzadah. “VTA will lead the project through final design and construction, leveraging our experience in delivering complex infrastructure projects.”
The current estimated total 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 local 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 commence 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