Caltrans shuts down portion of Highway 140 due to potential for mudslides
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Caltrans is closing several miles of Highway 140 as winter storms bring the potential of mudslides along the Ferguson Fire burn scar.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the area. Caltrans has 24 hour patrols monitoring the canyon, and they've already had some minor rock falls and clogged drains near El Portal. Caltrans officials said the closure will start at 2 A.M. on Thursday, and it's mainly is to keep drivers off the road and away from the canyon.
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"There's currently scheduled to be more than a quarter inch of rain every 15 minutes, meaning more than an inch per hour," Caltrans District 10 spokesperson Thomas Lawrence said.
Steven Crook and his crews are working to clear charred trees along Highway 140 before the road is scheduled to close.
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"We're also kicking off all the rocks we can on the banks, so as we work the whole roadway, we're getting all the dead debris dead trees and loose rocks to try to make the road safe because those rocks and trees can come down at anytime," Crook Logging Inc's Steven Crook said.
The department is also working closely the National Park Service and the Mariposa County Sheriff's office. California Highway Patrol officers said they're doing extra patrolling in areas prone to disaster.
"The Ferguson burn scar is the priority that's the expected area to slide. Hwy 49 n to the bagby bridge is another area that could have rock fall," CHP officer Matthew Chance said.
Crook says with more wet weather ahead, he and his crew will most likely be clearing debris for some time.
"The rain and terrain is so slippery and now the water is going to come in, freeze, thaw and that will kick out more rocks so we're going to do that again," Crook said.
National Park officials say El Portal Road could remain open, but providing access only between El Portal and Yosemite Valley.
Caltrans officials hope to reopen the road Thursday evening, but will evaluate conditions and road safety before they reopen the highway to drivers.
