The clean-up, restoration and placement of rocks under the Highway 1 overpass at Riverside and Lonzo roads cost $40,000, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The clean-up on May 19 followed the removal of homeless camps that were under both ends of the highway overpass, which is a ministry responsibility. At the time of the clean-up, signs had been placed to indicate that anyone camping would be charged with trespassing.
The camp had generated a number of public complaints about the amount of accumulated trash, as well as the safety of the overpass due to occupants digging into the slope.
Deb Lowell, public relations officer with the Salvation Army, said outreach staff had been “attentive to the folks underneath the overpass.”
She said that while most of the people who had been living there dispersed, “one individual has been in shelter with us since and we are working at acquiring permanent accommodation for her.”
They also brought back a limited amount of items and belongings, particularly for that individual, she said.
The ministry previously said there were no threats to the structural integrity of the bridge, and staff were working with the city, police and service agencies to handle the issue.
Crews restored the slope and covered it with large rocks.
