With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Highway 330 re-opens for Memorial Day weekend
Caltrans and state emergency officials inspect a damaged section of Highway 330 near Highland on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011. It could take up to two years to repair the storm-damaged roadway.
(
Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
Listen
1:14
Highway 330 re-opens for Memorial Day weekend
Highway 330 re-opens for Memorial Day weekend
Storm-battered Highway 330 in the San Bernardino Mountains has reopened to traffic Friday months ahead of schedule, but it will promptly close again after the three-day weekend for a final round of repairs.
The long ribbon of twisting mountain highway connects the Inland Valley to San Bernardino Mountain resort towns. So when a rain-soaked bluff near Crestline gave way underneath, there was a lot of pressure to shore it up fast. December storms clawed a 90-foot wide chasm in the highway. Muddy hunks of pavement and guardrail slid 600-feet down a steep ravine. Crews worked around the clock rebuilding the bluff in sections, like a layer cake.
Now Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga says all the work is nearly done.
"We had some good weather but the contractors have really been committed and they were working seven days a week, 24 hours a day they just really did an outstanding job. Once we got in here and started doing some of the work I think we realized it wasn’t gonna take as long," Kasinga said.
Sponsored message
Caltrans estimates that the $23 million job will keep the 330 shut down at least through the end of the year. Through Memorial Day, the highway will be open to all traffic including trucks and buses. A restricted commuter schedule resumes on Tuesday. Caltrans hopes to complete all its repairs by July 4.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
