Caltrans & UC Merced Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for State Route 99 Plainsburg-Arboleda Columbian Mammoth Silhouettes

Published: Jul 16, 2024

MERCED - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and UC Merced hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, July 15th for the State Route 99 Plainsburg-Arboleda Columbian Mammoth silhouettes that were installed earlier this year across the Plainsburg Road and Le Grand Road overpasses in Merced County.

During construction of the original State Route 99 Plainsburg-Arboleda freeway project in 2012 nearly 1,000 Ice-Age fossils were discovered near the Plainsburg and Arboleda Road intersections including the Columbian Mammoth, Giant Ground Sloth, Western Camal, and Ancient Llama. In alignment with Caltrans steadfast commitment to the preservation of historical artifacts, construction work was immediately paused in the area of the fossil discovery while a team of paleontologists recorded and documented the find.

Recognizing the significance and rarity of the Plainsburg-Arboleda fossil discovery, Caltrans was firmly committed to finding a home for the fossils here in the Central Valley where future generations could view and learn about the discovery. In accordance with this goal the department embarked in a partnership with UC Merced to permanently donate the fossils to the university where they would be displayed for further study and educational benefits.

"While UC Merced is well-known for its forward thinking, our approach is heavily rooted in honoring the past," said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. "We are a proud partner in this endeavor to preserve the region's rich natural history and we invite the public to view the mammoth exhibit on campus in the Kolligian Library."

The ribbon cutting event this week marked the culmination of a nearly $5 million Caltrans project to mitigate paleontological impacts from the Plainsburg-Arboleda fossil discovery with the installation of the Columbian Mammoth silhouettes. The silhouettes not only foster a connection between the freeway project and the fossil discovery, but also serve to increase public curiosity and awareness of the region's rich natural history.

"The State Route 99 Columbian Mammoth silhouettes demonstrate a shared vision amongst the community and offer a strong visual representation of Caltrans environmental stewardship in the fields of paleontology and prehistoric resource preservation," said Caltrans District 10 Interim Director Grace Magsayo. "I thank UC Merced for their partnership to provide the Plainsburg-Arboleda fossils a permanent home here in Merced County for future generations to enjoy."

Caltrans is striving to improve the visual aesthetics for motorists throughout the State Transportation System. With the installation of these Plainsburg-Arboleda Columbian Mammoth silhouettes, the department hopes to improve the travel experience for motorists passing through the region.

For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov and Build.ca.gov.

Caltrans reminds motorists to #KnowBeforeYouGo by visiting quickmap.dot.ca.gov for real-time highway conditions and for the safety of our workers and other motorists, please #MoveOver, go Slow for the #ConeZone and Be Work Zone Alert.