A critical development in wildlife conservation was marked on Monday as crews commenced the initial phase of soil placement for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a groundbreaking project aimed at helping local wildlife safely cross the 101 Freeway.

Construction crews began placing the first layers of soil over the surface of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the Ventura (101) Freeway Monday. Beginning at 7 a.m., crews began installing soil on what will become a nearly 1-acre native wildlife habitat stretching across 10 lanes of the freeway in Agoura Hills.

Officials said it will take several weeks and about 6,000 cubic yards of soil to build the foundation for the 1-acre wildlife habitat being created over 10 lanes of the 101 freeway in Agoura Hills. The project is designed to provide a safe crossing for mountain lions, deer, bobcats and other animals.