The idea that the Santa Monica Mountains lions are inbreeding was the initial concern. But, the people in charged refused to dart, tag, DNA test, and transport suitable mountain lions into the habitat or, conversely, bring some lions North using the same protocol.
Now it is about driver safety and the roadside deaths of the lions. Of course, some of the funds may come from Caltrans at a time when Governor Jerry Brown is trying to hike license registration fees and gas taxes to make up for the missing budget item called road repair and replacement. Such a scam.
There is no guarantee that the lions will use the crossing or will not stray onto private property nearby.
This is reminiscent of the California Condor Program -- which is a backdoor gun control measure limiting lead ammunition although the science is murky. The Condors are little more than an open-air project to protect the salaries and infrastructure of the researchers.