TRAFFIC ALERT: SR-60 Partially Closing In Beaumont

BEAUMONT, CA — Lanes on both sides of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway in Beaumont are scheduled to be shut down Monday evening to enable crews to work on the median in preparation for a multi-phase project intended to ease traffic flow.

According to Beaumont officials, the contractor handling the Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project needs to erect k-rail barriers where the 60 connects to Western Knolls Avenue.

The work is scheduled between 10 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, during which time one lane on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the 60 will be taken out of service, squeezing traffic through the passage.

Motorists can avoid the partially closed segment by taking Interstate 10 in either direction.

"Motorists can expect delays as highway traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the installation," the city of Beaumont said.

After the k-rails are installed, the median will be permanently closed and local area businesses will be accessible by right turns only.

Additional lane closures and a full freeway shutdown are anticipated in the months ahead.

The first phase of the $34 million interchange project is expected to be completed about a year from now and will involve constructing a six-lane bridge over the 60, between Jack Rabbit Trail and the Interstate 10/60 Freeway junction.

Currently, Potrero functions mainly as a frontage road along the 60, though it has standard entrance and exit points on the freeway where it meets Western Knolls.

The new overcrossing will feature a partial cloverleaf design and enable motorists to smoothly and directly transition on and off the 60 using Potrero, which ends at the freeway and stretches north to Oak Valley Parkway, where there are multiple subdivisions.

SEE PREVIOUS:

• Beaumont Breaks Ground On Potrero Interchange

— City News Service contributed to this report

Image 1: A rendering of the future overpass. Credit City of Beaumont

Image 2: A look at "phase 1" of the project. Credit: City of Beaumont