With the month of May containing Endangered Species Day on the 21st, and International Day for Biological Diversity on the 22nd, construction firm Skanska USA has shared photographs of two wildlife crossing it is building as part of the $113m project to add truck lanes to State Route 60 in the mountainous "Badlands" of Riverside County, California.
Two, reinforced underpasses, each some 20 feet in width, are being built under the 4.5-mile stretch between Moreno Valley and Beaumont.
Two, reinforced underpasses, each some 20 feet in width, are being built under the 4.5-mile stretch between Moreno Valley and Beaumont
It means that, for the first time, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, and several species of birds and snakes can safely cross the road, which is set on a steep slope.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is owner of the project, which was designed by California Department of Transportation. Work began in July 2019 and is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2022.
Work began in July 2019 and is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2022
Skanska said a full-time biologist has been on site to help facilitate the crossings.
The project team was able to identify the types of animals that roam the area and can avail themselves of the crossings once they are complete.
Images courtesy of Skanska
