Storm damage closes Highway 330 indefinitely

The main road up to Big Bear will become the road less traveled this winter. In fact, Highway 330 will be the road traveled not at all.

Last week’s storms walloped the San Bernardino Mountains with a whole lot of rain before it turned to snow.

The steep mountains couldn’t handle all of that water. Mudslides eroded away the soil underneath Highway 330, causing part of the road to collapse and slide down the hillside.

At least one section of the road is completely gone. CalTrans is checking out other sections which may have been undermined and might be too unstable to hold the road.

So they have closed Highway 330 indefinitely. It likely won't reopen until winter is over.

That means a longer drive for skiers and snowboarders who want to get up to the fresh powder. They will either have to take the longer, windy route up Highway 38 from Yucaipa or come up the back side of the mountain, along Highway 18.

This isn't the first time Highway 330 has been closed because of damage. The roadway was closed for several weeks earlier this year to repair a collapsing culvert under the highway.