A new $2.7 million beautification project at the interchange of Interstate 5 and State Route 32 will include two bee sculptures created by Orland Artist, Jake Midgley.

The interchange will also have unique honeycomb-like paving, reflecting the City of Orland, which is known as the Queen Bee Capital of North America.

The Glenn County town produces hundreds of thousands of queen bees every year.

"That junction of where 32 and [I-5] come together is pretty much-considered the gateway to the city," said Caltrans District 3 Spokesperson, Kevin Murphy,. "So, I just, kind of, felt that it would be a good location for a construction project that would incorporate some place-making type of art. We’re just very excited to be working with the City of Orland on the project, and particularly excited to work with a local artist."

Jake Midgley is an Orland native and mechanic who makes metal sculptures on nights and weekends. He was chosen by Caltrans District 3 to make the two sculptures at the intersection, one northbound and one southbound.

Midgley said he’s been working nights and weekends getting the sculpture done and should have it completed by the deadline early next year. He said he'll feel "relieved" and "definitely proud," when it's all finished.

"It’s quite an achievement," Midgley said at his family-owned mechanic shop in Orland, " I think art is kind of relaxing, but it’s stressful at the same time...Everything is just a one-of-a-kind."

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