Why does $A(L)= \{ w_1w_2: |w_1|=|w_2|$ and $w_1, w_2^R \in L \}$ generate a context free language for regular $L$?
Let $A&#39;(L)= \{ w_1 \sharp w_2: |w_1|=|w_2|$ and $w_1, w_2^R \in L \}$ where $\sharp$ is a new symbol.

$A&#39;(L)$ is the intersection of context-free language $\{ w_1 \sharp w_2: |w_1|=|w_2|\}$ and regular $L\sharp L^R$, therefore it is context-free. $A(L)$ is a homomorphic image of $A&#39;(L)$, so it is context-free as well.

I prefer this proof to others as it is "higher-level".