On Friday, transportation officials in Riverside County, California, will open new truck lanes following nearly three years of construction.

On May 20, new truck lanes will open on Route 60 through the Badlands between Coachella Valley and western Riverside County.

The new truck lanes are part of a $138 million highway project that started in June 2019.

Officials say that the project includes an eastbound truck-climbing lane and a westbound truck-descending lane for 4.5 miles between Gilman Springs Road and 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail, between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. Built next to the outer shoulders in both directions of Route 60, the truck lanes separate slower-moving big-rigs from passenger vehicles that can use the two left lanes in both directions. 

“This project has fully transformed the Route 60 corridor from a narrow, winding, roadway to one that is wide open, safe, and a great new way to drive between the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County,” said RCTC Chair and Riverside County 4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “RCTC’s investment in Route 60 has provided a stronger way to connect our residents,” he said.

While adding the truck lanes, crews also widened the inner and outer shoulders and excavated 2.1 million cubic yards of dirt from the steep hillsides to add another 30 feet next to the outer shoulders. Workers also flattened the curving roadway to improve sight distance for drivers, another safety benefit.

You can check out the video below to learn more about the new truck lanes.