SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA: On April 29 at 10:00 am, Graniterock, Caltrans, and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County celebrated the official groundbreaking for the construction of the HW17 wildlife tunnel at Laurel Curve. The tunnel will provide long-ranging wildlife—most notably Santa Cruz mountain lions—with safe passage under the heavily trafficked highway.

An unprecedented partnership between the land conservation organization Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, state agencies Caltrans, and the Regional Transportation Commission, is responsible for the realization and success of the undercrossing project.

Speaking at the celebration was Land Trust Executive Director, Sarah Newkirk; County Supervisor and Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commissioner, Bruce McPherson; Assemblyman Mark Stone; Senator John Laird, Acting Caltrans Director, Steve Keck; Director of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Charlton Bonham; and Natural Resources Secretary, Wade Crowfoot. You can read the full press release here.