Opinion: How can California keep animals from getting killed crossing a freeway? France has the answer.

To the editor: I was stunned reading about the long-proposed bridge for wildlife to cross over a stretch of the 101 Freeway near Los Angeles. (“To build a bridge for mountain lions, wildlife activists need $60 million,” Dec. 18)

The first thing that astounds me is that this has been a topic of discussion for years and nothing concrete has been done. The second thing is that the proposed crossing will be 165 feet wide. Is this being designed for animals to cross or for a horde of off-road vehicles and cars?

The French long ago solved this issue with their thoughtful installation of narrow bridges, many covered in grass and landscaped on the sides, including cut-outs of animals so that wildlife has a chance against speeding cars. France is covered in major highways, and it is that country’s intent to prevent wildlife from being killed while also preventing major collisions caused by animals wandering onto the roadway.

We owe it to cougars and other animals in California to cut the red tape, cut the cost and build narrow, landscaped animal crossings over the freeways — and to stop just talking about it.

Diane Ohanian, San Diego

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