VTA Launches Coyote Valley Wildlife Crossing Project | VTA
Big Picture
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority board has approved the start of a multi-year effort to design and build wildlife crossing structures in Coyote Valley, a key habitat corridor between San Jose and Gilroy. Initial design and planning work is now underway, with construction on the first crossing potentially beginning by 2028, depending on funding.
Why It Matters
• Safety on major roads and rail lines: Wildlife in Coyote Valley currently faces dangerous crossings at U.S. Highway 101, Monterey Road and the rail line, where collisions with vehicles are frequent. Structuring safe passages will reduce collisions and improve safety for motorists and animals alike.
• Ecosystem connectivity: Coyote Valley is a critical link between the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Allowing animals like mountain lions, bobcats, badgers and others to move safely across this landscape supports biodiversity and long-term resilience amid climate change.
• Partnership approach: The project’s success depends on cooperation between VTA, Peninsula Open Space Trust, local cities, Caltrans and the railroad, combining transportation planning and conservation.
In short, this project aims to make transportation infrastructure more compatible with nature, reducing risk for people and wildlife while preserving an essential regional habitat corridor.