The closure of State Route 70 (SR 70) is set to be prolonged by another two weeks, and the cause is no ordinary slide. In addition to managing two existing slides further up the highway, at Post Mile 29.9 and Post Mile 3, Caltrans is now contending with an ‘extreme’ slide in their construction zone near the Shady Rest Area. This significant event occurred yesterday as debris tumbled down the steep rockface even overcoming one of the crew’s excavators.
The latest slide has added to the challenges faced by crews, who have been working tirelessly for over a year to maintain the highway’s safety through a substantial $60 million project in this location. The project’s goal is to elevate the roadway by 5 feet and fortify the embankment, with the anticipated completion date set for 2025.
This endeavor has become increasingly demanding due to the aftermath of recent wildfires, which have decimated vegetation along the trecherous canyon, leading to ongoing erosion issues.
For real-time traffic updates and alternative route information, to navigate the extended closure you can access Caltrans Quickmap.
