UPDATE:
BISHOP – Caltrans will reopen two sections of U.S. 395 tonight in Mono County.
- At 4:00 pm, the highway will reopen between Mammoth Lakes and June Lake
- At 8:00 pm, the highway will reopen between June Lake and Lee Vining
Drivers should be aware the highway will narrow to a single lane in both directions at multiple points between Mammoth Lakes and Lee Vining. Because of this, it is recommended all travelers reduce their speed and allow for extra room between vehicles. Chain control restrictions will be in place when the highway reopens. Caltrans reminds all drivers that when chain controls are in effect, the speed limit on U.S. 395 is 35mph whether or not your vehicle is required to chain up.
While Caltrans is working toward reopening more of the highway, the section of U.S. 395 between Lee Vining and Mono City will be closed for an extended period due to avalanches that have buried the road and damaged safeguards along the highway. Any updates and information on a potential reopening of this section of U.S. 395 will be shared with the public.
All other current closures in Mono and Inyo counties will remain in place overnight. This includes:
- U.S. 395 from Lee Vining to Bridgeport
- U.S. 395 from Sonora Junction to Walker
- State Route 167 from U.S. 395 to the Nevada State Line
- State Route 158 S along June Lake (Use N Shore Drive as a detour)
- State Route 168E from Death Valley Road to State Route 266
- State Route 266
Caltrans asks that all drivers respect the closure points and not attempt to access these highways from any other road. Maintenance crews will continue to plow 24/7, working through the night. Caltrans and the CHP will reassess highway conditions tomorrow.
Be sure to check quickmap.dot.ca.gov before you hit the road to get the latest details on road closures, chain controls, and more. Quickmap is available for iOS and Android devices. You can also check roads.dot.ca.gov or call 1-800-427-7623.
Wayne Merchant, Do the town a favor and do what anyone in their right-mind would go-a-around. Go to Tahoe..take 50 hwy..south hwy 5 go to L.A. I’m sure they want you take your stuff with you and stay. If you really need to Mammoth go north 395. This isn’t the… Read more »
10:30 update from Carson City governor’s office. I spoke again with staff from Colonel store at pickle Meadows and it appears that military personnel cannot operate heavy equipment that’s not owned by the department of defense due to title 10. As I am coordinating with these in Nevada emergency services… Read more »
Okay I just got some feedback that they’re working pretty feverishly at both the North and South end of the avalanche at the cable netting north of Lee vining. Colonel Store at the pickle metals training center North of Bridgeport was notified by the state emergency services about the disaster… Read more »
Another update on the Northern Mono county disasters. I spoke with Colonel store at pickle Meadows this morning concerning having the Marines assist the community was snow and weather issues. He has informed me that he has staff and is ready to jump into action but the state of California… Read more »
Here’s a little update on what’s been going on with the avalanche mess in Lee vining at the cable netting. 3 days ago two large excavators were hauled through Bridgeport and dropped off at the Toyota Lodge resort just a few hundred yards north of the avalanche. Through my local… Read more »
Where is Toyota Lodge?
Wow, Wayne Merchant has all the info it seems. But, avalanche danger is out of everyones control, you can blast them, but is that up to CalTrans? And after that, plows still have to get all that snow off the road, and then hope its all snow and not full… Read more »
Ya….. California liability waivers don’t protect you from recklessness or gross negligence. Good luck with that one in court. Probably go over like saying “Yes your honor, I gave a revolver to an unsupervised 12 year old. But only one chamber was loaded!” And yes Caltrans does avalanche blasting. Highway… Read more »
There are several Gazex avalanche release systems along 395 above Mono Lake and also above SR 158 between Oh Ridge and Boulder Lodge. The exploders (long tubes filled with a propane/oxygen mixture) can be activated remotely. Gas bottles have to be helicoptered up to shelters prior to the winter season.… Read more »
Sorry Ped, I am being sarcastic again. Sorry you thought I was serious. But, actually, people are killing and hurting themselves a lot by trying to skirt the closures using the always infallible (heavy sarcasm) apps on their phones. Then of course they try to sue the government for their… Read more »
Snow removal issues have been ongoing for several years in Mono county. We have a caltrans supervisor in charge of the area of Conway summit to Bridgeport and some areas of leviting that is such a horrible human being that almost everybody who has worked in his department under him… Read more »
I agree, CalTrans does stink in a lot of ways, but my avalanche comment sticks!
Sorry if my above statement confused you I understand avalanches beyond alien everybody’s control but the nature throws rocks trees and snowballs at you whenever she feels like it. I’m concerned with the fact that we have a lack of manpower to stay on top of the situation when we… Read more »
Wayne Merchant reply # 2 I watched the video you took.. I’m not sure I’d have an issue with CalTrans going for an 8 mile joy-ride on the tax-payers and Government dime, that’s nothing new, Government workers lolly-gagging while on the job. What I’d have an issue with is if… Read more »
Wayne Merchant Just ANOTHER reason and to see so-called “authorities” gone wild, and especially in weather like this. Even worse down south,in the Big Bear area, residents up in arms, driving down the mountain roads into town to get food, supplies and maybe prescriptions filled, but then “not allowed” to… Read more »