(17:36) SANTA CRUZ- Additional funds will be made available for the Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing Project. Yesterday (Thursday) the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the governing Board of Caltrans, voted to commit 3.1 million dollars to help build the wildlife crossing tunnel under Highway 17. The state’s commitment helps the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, which took the first step toward building the wildlife crossing in early 2014 with the protection of a 10-acre property at Laurel Curve. To date, the non-profit has protected two properties totaling 290 acres on the east side of the highway, and is currently raising funds to purchase a conservation easement on 170 acres west of Laurel Curve. Design on the project could begin in the next few months.
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