The Point: Drive carefully, allow extra travel time for intermittent closures on Route 60 in “Badlands”

Heads up! Work started June 10 to widen 4.5 miles of State Route 60 from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail within the “Badlands” area of unincorporated Riverside County. RCTC is adding truck lanes in both directions and other features to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion.

Crews are placing fencing and project information signs, including 55 mile-per-hour reduced speed limit signs within the construction zone. Motorists should drive carefully, watch for workers and equipment, allow extra travel time, and note that traffic fines are doubled within the project limits.

Nighttime lane closures are under way to allow crews to remove the center barrier, place construction k-rail, and restripe lanes. Closures are occurring generally between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday-Thursday nights, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. eastbound on Friday nights, and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. westbound on Friday nights.

From late July to December 2019, one westbound lane on Route 60 will be closed within the project limits.

The lane closure is needed to provide space for construction equipment and to ensure the safety of crews and travelers through the area. RCTC will operate Freeway Service Patrols to aid stranded drivers during the six-month lane closure. Motorists are encouraged to use Interstate 10 as an alternate route.

RCTC hosted open houses on June 5 and June 12 to provide opportunities for community members to talk one-on-one with project team members. To see the open house exhibits, please visit the Project Schedule section of the webpage.

To stay informed of the latest lane closures, please register for Construction Updates by visiting rctc.org/60trucklanes or emailing 60trucklanes@rctc.org, and follow @60TruckLanes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.