6-Month Badlands Closure Begins Between Beaumont, MoVal

BEAUMONT, CA — A closure on a major thoroughfare between Beaumont and Moreno Valley is set to close Thursday night — and to remain closed 24/7 for six months. The stretch of State Route 60 known as the Badlands will be reduced to just one westbound lane, according to transportation officials.

It's all part of the State Route 60 Truck Lanes Project which will eventually add a new truck lane in both directions, widen the roadway's shoulders, flatten roadway curves and increase the height of the center barrier.

"Closing the westbound lane will create safer conditions for drivers and construction crews and will save time," the Riverside County Transportation Commission said. "Originally planned as a 3.5 year project, the lane closure will save a year of construction time and allow the project to be completed in about 2.5 years."

Motorists who frequent the stretch are encouraged to plan ahead, and to take Interstate 10 as an alternative route if possible.

"Motorists should expect significant delays, allow extra travel time and avoid the area by using I-10 as a detour route," the agency said.

The project, which started in June, has kept crews busy installing fencing, removing part of the center barrier and re-aligning some curves thus far, according to an RCTC project update.

"Drivers through the area can see bright yellow excavators, scrapers, and bulldozers dotting the steep hills, as crews work to remove 2.1 million cubic yards of dirt to make room for the wider roadbed," the agency said.

The project is expected to cost approximately $113 million.