Bird nests delay bridge repair work in Moreno Valley

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Emergency repair work for a Moreno Valley bridge has been delayed again after birds set up nests in the construction zone.

Environmental laws pushed back work needed at the bottom of Theodore Street bridge over the 60 Freeway, when a nest of Say's phoebe birds were found nearly two months ago.

Work was set to resume Monday, but a Caltrans biologist spotted another nest with a small egg inside.

"The actual work, the demo work to start off this project and repair this bridge, is on hold again for six to eight weeks," said Terri Kasinga, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

"It's not that we're losing money being out here, but it's delaying the work getting done," Kasinga added.

For now, one lane on the bridge remains open, with a signal light controlling traffic.

A Caltrans contractor put up wire mesh to prevent more birds from nesting in the area.