Suspicious device that closed Hwy 60 turned out to be trash

A portion of Highway 60 near Moreno Valley was closed temporarily Tuesday morning while authorities investigated what appeared to be an explosive device left on the side of the road.

A Caltrans survey crew found the item on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes, just east of Gilman Springs Road, officials said in a release. The object was cylindrical, about 14-inches-long and was wrapped in blue tape. Believing it may have been an Improvised Explosive Device, workers called CHP, Cal Fire and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Bomb Squad to the scene.

Around 9:30 a.m., Cal Trans closed both eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 60 through the Badlands. The highway was fully cleared of traffic at about 10:15 a.m. so the bomb squad could identify the object.

Using two robots, the bomb squad took X-rays and photographs of the item and officers determined it wasn’t explosive or dangerous. Officials said the object was rolled up waste paper wrapped in blue painter’s tape.

Highway 60 was back open in both directions just after 11 a.m.