Closures

From CalTrans website:

SR 18
[SAN BERNARDINO & RIVERSIDE CO.'S]
IS CLOSED FROM THE JCT OF SR 138 TO CREST FOREST DR /IN CRESTVIEW/ (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO FLOODING - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 3 MI EAST OF THE JCT OF SR 330 TO FOREST BOUNDRY (SAN BERNARDINO CO)

SR 38
[SAN BERNARDINO & RIVERSIDE CO.'S]
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM ANGELUS OAKS TO BIG BEAR DAM (SAN BERNARDINO CO)

SR 173
[SAN BERNARDINO & RIVERSIDE CO.'S]
IS CLOSED FROM THE JCT OF SR 138 TO 7 MI EAST OF THE JCT OF SR 138 (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO FLOODING - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

IS CLOSED FROM 7 MI EAST TO 17 MI EAST OF THE JCT OF SR 138 (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO MUD SLIDES - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE
AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

SR 138
[SAN BERNARDINO & RIVERSIDE CO.'S]
IS CLOSED FROM THE JCT OF I 15 TO THE JCT OF SR 173 (SAN BERNARDINO CO) - DUE TO FLOODING - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

Additional info from Caltrans press release:

SR-138 from SR-173 to Interstate 15
CLOSED
Flooding
Until flooding subsides

SR-173 from SR-138 to Arrowhead Lake Road
CLOSED
Flooding
Until flooding subsides

SR-18 (The Narrows)
from SR-138 to Crest Forest Drive.
CLOSED
Rock slides and flooding
May reopen tomorrow (1/3/06) if no additional slides

Impending storms are expected to bring heavy rain and snow, which may result in other road closures. Snow levels are at approximately 6,000 feet and chains are required. Chains are
also required on SR-18 in the Arctic Circle and on SR-38 at the Onyx Summit. Motorists will not be permitted into areas where chains are required.

Vicki: can you clarify that last statement that motorists will not be allowed into areas where chains are required? It seems contradictory. If chains are required (for entry)how can they be closed for entry by motorists?

I don't know Ron, after the pileup in the Artic Circle last Winter I think it makes perfect sense

because there are so many people up here already that dont have chains on that they are causing major back up,, so the only people allowed up here are the ones with chains if they can even get thru,, so bad up here,

and people keep coming up,,, i dont know why caltrans or chp hasnt closed the moutain yet,, they need too, these people cant go forward or backward and there is major tie up on the roads leading into and out of big bear via 18,,

Sorry Ron - you're right; it is contradictory. I just copied and pasted from the Caltrans site. Not sure what Terri means there....

Maybe they omitted "...motorists without chains will be prohibited from those areas requiring chains."? It looks like a transcription error and nobody bothered to proof their work.

From Terri Kasinga

WHAT: STORM WATCH (CURRENT CLOSURES)

WHEN: TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2006 (0730)

WHERE: SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES

The following is an update of current road closures due to recent storms in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

HIGHWAY STATUS REASON DURATION
SR-138 from SR-173 to Interstate15 OPEN Flooding Until flooding subsides
SR-173 from SR-138 to Arrowhead Lake Road OPEN Flooding Until flooding subsides
SR-18 (The Narrows) from SR-138 to Crest Forest Drive CLOSED Rock slides and flooding May reopen later today 1/3/06
SR-2 from Big Pines to Vincents Gap CLOSED Slides May reopen Wednesday 1/4/06
SR-2 from Vincents Gap to ISLIP Saddle
(Remains closed since last winter 2004) WINTER CLOSURE Avalanches & slides Summer 2006

Chains are still required on SR-38 at Onyx Summit and some areas of SR-18 in the Big Bear area. Motorists will not be permitted in chain requirement areas without chains.

This information will be updated when received.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution and check road conditions before your trip. Please call the “Road Conditions Hotline” at (800) 427-7623 or Public Affairs at (909) 383-4631. You may also check road conditions on our website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist8.

Narrows opened just after 4 p.m. today!