State Route 70 remains closed from Grandview Station to the Greenville Wye due to two significant slides at post miles 17 and 21 in the Feather River Canyon. The highway is covered with debris, and the hillside’s instability complicates cleanup efforts. Officials estimate the closure will last at least a week, with no specific reopening timeline provided.
This closure is the latest in a series of challenges for SR-70, a vital route connecting the Sacramento Valley to the Sierra Nevada. Over the past two years, the highway has faced multiple closures due to slides, particularly during wet seasons. In early 2023, heavy rainfall triggered significant slides that closed portions of the highway for weeks. Another slide in late 2022 disrupted traffic for months as crews worked to stabilize the area.
To address these recurring issues, Caltrans has initiated stabilization projects in the Feather River Canyon:
Pulga Project: A $58.8 million initiative started in February 2023, focusing on elevating the roadway and reinforcing the embankment with a retaining wall to withstand future flooding. An eight-foot shoulder will also be added along this stretch. Completion is expected by the end of 2024.
You are advised to plan alternate routes and remain patient as crews work to restore access. Authorities continue to monitor the hillside for further instability and will provide updates as conditions evolve. The public is thanked for their cooperation and understanding during this time.
Photos taken by Quincy Maintenance Superintendent, Josh Dixon, at post mile 17.
