Linda Shannon-Hills
If you’ve driven along Oracle Road, you may have noticed a curious-looking bridge that doesn’t seem to lead anywhere. But this is no ordinary overpass—it’s part of a wildlife corridor designed to protect animals and drivers alike.
Thanks to the work of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, this bridge and a companion tunnel allow wildlife to safely cross busy Oracle Road. These crossings link the Santa Catalina, Tortolita, and Tucson Mountains, preserving migration routes vital to the health of our desert ecosystem.
A Vision Realized
The Coalition spent years researching the ideal crossing location and, in 2009, partnered with the Arizona Department of Transportation to propose a project to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Wildlife Linkages Committee. The RTA approved $8.2 million in funding that December to construct three crossings in the area.
Construction began in spring 2014 and wrapped up in spring 2016. Since then, motion-sensitive cameras have monitored wildlife activity. The data is promising:
* Coyotes, bobcats, and javelina frequently use the tunnel.
* Mule deer, foxes, and others prefer the open-air bridge.
* And notably, one Sonoran Desert tortoise made its way across even before construction was complete!
To date, more than 2,500 successful crossings have been recorded, including raccoons, badgers, skunks, coatimundi, Gila monsters, and, in 2023, even a black bear.
Honoring a Local Champion
If you look up while passing under the bridge, you’ll spot a plaque reading: Ann Day Memorial Wildlife Bridge.
Ann Day, who served as a Pima County Supervisor from 2000 to 2012, was a tireless advocate for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and championed wildlife connectivity projects. She was tragically killed in a car accident in May 2016, just before the bridge was officially opened. In 2018, the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names renamed the structure in her honor. She was also the sister of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Looking Ahead
With the success of the Oracle Road project, the Coalition is now working to expand connectivity across a larger portion of Pima County. Two major projects are already in the works:
* Santa Cruz River Wildlife Ramp: Nearly complete, this will allow wildlife to cross the steep river levees near the I-10 corridor.
* Avra Valley Road Overpass: A planned wildlife bridge across I-10 will link the Tucson and Tortolita Mountains, further supporting safe wildlife movement.
How You Can Help
These efforts not only protect wildlife but also reduce vehicle collisions and ensure safer roads for our community. The Coalition relies on donations and community involvement to make these projects a reality.
To learn more, donate, or watch real footage of animals using the bridge and tunnel, visit:
* YouTube: Sonoran Desert Wildlife Crossings
So—why did the tortoise cross the bridge? Because now, he can.