Due to Valentines Day
Storm Damage
>>Friday evening, Big Bear Fire Authority, FIRE CHIEF JEFF WILLIS update:
Confirmed that Highway 38 is open to
residents up bound. Just drove it myself. Must show resident ID to pass though. Roadway
is looking pretty good. I speculate that it most likely won’t be long before
the road is fully open...
Friday
February 15, 2019
The
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8 is alerting the
traveling public that several road closures are in affect due to the storm on
February 14, 2019.
THE MOTORING PUBLIC, RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES ARE ADVISED TO CHECK ROAD CONDITIONS BEFORE THEY GO.
USE
CALTRANS QUICKMAP AT http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Below is a list of the current road closures /State
Routes effected:
• SR 243 from I-10 to
Idyllwild will remain under a long-term closure until further notice (road
loss).
• SR 74 from Valle Vista (Hemet) to Mountain Center will remain
closed until further notice (road loss).
• SR 74 (Palms to Pines Highway, low desert, Anza) from Lake Hemet to
Mountain Center and
Idyllwild is open to RESIDENTS ONLY.
• SR 18 is closed from Green Valley Lake to Big Bear Dam until
further notice (road loss).
• SR 38 is closed to Big Bear Valley,
until later Friday evening once storm work is completed. Big Bear Valley is
also accessible via SR 18 from the
High Desert (or Lucerne) to all traffic. Residents are being permitted on SR 38 at this time.
Ski resorts in Big Bear Lake are open for
business.
• SR 111 is closed from Overture Drive to Tramway Drive south of I-10
until further notice. Palm Springs is accessible from Indian Canyon (road
loss).
• SR 173 from SR 138 to
Twin Ranch Road (flooding).
• SR 79 from south of Sage to Dripping Springs in Aguanga is under a
flagging operation and subject to closure due to a sinkhole.
• SR 2 closure has been extended to Inspiration Point on the
Wrightwood side and is closed to Islip Saddle – there is still no access from
LA County (snow conditions). Mountain High Ski
Resort remains open for business.
Caltrans has three emergency contracts in place as
follows:
• SR 74 and 243 for $8
million to make repairs to storm damage and road loss.
Ames Construction is the
contractor is mobilizing tomorrow to begin work.
• SR 111 for $3.5 million. Contractor expected to mobilize this
weekend.
• SR 18 (San
Bernardino Mountains) for $2.5 million. Contractor expected to mobilize this
weekend.
Snow Valley
Ski Resort and Rim Nordic will remain closed until further notice
Caltrans Geologists and
engineers have been investigating road damages at various locations throughout
District 8 since yesterday and will continue those investigations over the
weekend and holiday on Monday. Be advised that damage
to state highways may be undetermined and could occur at any time resulting in
closures.
Caltrans
advises the public not to pass any road closed signs and obey all commands from
CHP, Caltrans and contractor crews for public safety.
Turn
Around Don’t Drown when roadways are flooded or impassible.
If
you are traveling to mountain areas this weekend – BRING CHAINS – chain control will be
in effect during storm activity. You will not be permitted during chain control
without chains.
PLEASE DO NOT
BLOCK ROADWAYS FOR SNOW PLAY OR CHAIN INSTALLATION! STASH YOUR TRASH (PACK IT
IN PACK IT OUT) AND DO NOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Any
new information will be released once available. Motorists are reminded to use
caution, slow for weather conditions and use headlights while driving.
Motorists should anticipate delays and longer travel time. Stock vehicles with
water, snacks, blankets, a charged cell phone, flashlight and a full tank of
gas before going to mountain regions.
Riverside County Emergency Management https://www.rivcoready.org/Have-a-Plan/Flooding/Storm-Ready
San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx.