Fur flies over proposed wildlife bridge

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A proposed bridge for wildlife over California's congested Interstate 405 has some taxpayers questioning the $455,000 price tag, The Los Angeles Times said.

The issue arose when plans to widen one of the busiest highways in the United States called for replacing an overpass. The preliminary design is expected to receive final approval in January once an environmental review is completed, but for some residents in the area, a bridge for deer, coyote, possums and bobcats is a pink elephant.

"What are they going to do -- have Doctor Dolittle standing there directing animals to use the bridge?" said Ernest Frankel, a member of one of 19 residents' groups that oppose the plan.

Frankel's wife, Louise, agreed and said there are other crossing areas for animals along the freeway but "there is no documentation that animals are using them."