Date: November 25, 2024
District: 9- Bishop
Contact: Byron Wolter
Phone: (760) 937-2138
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Route 120 W Closes for the Winter
Caltrans reminds all drivers to be prepared for winter driving

BISHOP – State Route 120 W at the Lee Vining Gate entered into its winter closure Monday afternoon. The highway had been in a storm closure since November 11. The seasonal closure of the highway coincides with Yosemite National Park’s winter closure of Tioga Pass and Tioga Road.

With the start of the holiday travel season here, Caltrans is reminding all drivers to practice caution and be prepared when traveling this winter. Freezing temperatures and potential storm impacts are forecast for the Thanksgiving travel week, so motorists need to be ready for whatever conditions the weather may bring.

Before you hit the road for the holidays, plan your trip in advance with the Caltrans QuickMap website at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or the QuickMap app available for iOS and Android devices. QuickMap gives users the latest details on road conditions along with CHP incident information. A vital tool for any traveler, QuickMap now offers optional geotargeted notifications for when there are traffic incidents in your area.

For an alternative to Quickmap, call (800) 427-ROAD (7623). For information on Nevada highways, visit nvroads.com or call (877) 687-6237. You can also follow us on social media at Caltrans9 on Facebook and X/Twitter and Caltransd9 on Instagram and Threads.

If you are traveling to the Eastern Sierra this holiday weekend, be aware that the following highways are closed for the winter season:

• State Route 168 W at Aspendell
• State Route 203 at Mammoth Mountain Inn
• State Route 120 W at the Lee Vining Gate

Additionally, the following highways are in storm closures:

• State Route 108 (Sonora Pass)
• State Route 89 (Monitor Pass)

With the snowy season here, Caltrans is reminding all drivers to make sure they’re properly packed before traveling to higher elevations. As a helpful reminder, Caltrans has put together a video detailing what you should pack before hitting the road: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO0k4fvd29w.

Chain Requirements

• Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
• Requirement 2 (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
NOTE: (Four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)
• Requirement 3 (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

For those with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e., Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Christopher Andriessen at (760) 937-7217or TTY 711.