State crews, including prison inmates, began a week-long cleanup of the homeless encampment beneath the H-1 freeway viaduct Monday. 

The governor’s office said the sweep of the Nimitz encampment was part of routine cleanups held twice a year at the Nimitz viaduct and across Market City on Harding Avenue, under an H-1 freeway overpass. 

The Department of Transportation cleanups generally occur in February and August, said Jodi Leong, the governor’s spokeswoman. 

However, bad weather prevented the state from taking any action in August at the troublesome homeless encampment near Nimitz Highway. 

The Market City cleanup took place on Aug. 3. 

Besides state transportation workers and inmates, crews included contract sanitation and social workers. Deputy sheriffs supervised the operation. 

All of the homeless campers were warned seven days before Monday’s cleanup 

Residents or businesses that want to report problems with homeless squatters on DOT land, should call the Department of Transportation at 831-6714, Leong added. 

Each sweep costs $250,000 to $300,000.