Motorists on Interstate 80 should expect delays as the California Department of Transportation continues work on the $2.5 million Farad rockfall project.

Work is being done to prevent slope erosion and materials from the mountainside from falling onto the westbound I-80 shoulders and roadway, according to the Department of Transportation. Construction crews are installing draped mesh on the slope and are removing loose rock from the area. Construction on the project is anticipated to be completed in May.

“Installation of the draped mesh will also limit maintenance workers’ exposure to traffic and improve safety for motorists traveling from Nevada to California,” the California Department of Transportation wrote in its news release.

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Neil’s Controlled Blasting of Newcastle, and Road and Highway Builders of Sparks, are the contractors. Through the end of the project, construction activities will be limited to daytime hours with lane reductions expected from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Department of Transportation is also expected to begin work on the $7 million Acid Flat rockfall project, which is located 0.2 miles east of the Truckee River Bridge to 0.8 miles west of the Farad Undercrossing. The project is slated to begin mid-May, and is anticipated to be completed in September.

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Justin Scacco is a reporter for the Sierra Sun. Contact him at jscacco@sierrasun.com or 530-550-2643.