Geology Report

A large rock slide has closed highway 140 near Savages Trading Post. It is expected to remain closed until May 9th.

Yosemite National Park News Release

May 1, 2006
For Immediate Release

Rockfall Causes Temporary Road Closure Outside of Yosemite National Park along Highway 140

A significant rockfall has caused the temporary closure of Highway 140 approximately 12 miles outside of Yosemite National Park. The road is closed in both directions pending assessment by a state geologist and eventual clearing of the boulders and trees covering both lanes. There is no estimate for re-opening the road.

Motorists should plan to use alternate routes and are still able to enter the park via Highway 41 and Highway 120 from the west (subject to detour or weight restriction). For more information, contact Caltrans at 800/427-7623.

-NPS-

May 9th is gone and highway 140 is still closed.

SR 140
[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA]
IS CLOSED FROM 3 MI EAST TO 11.5 MI EAST OF BRICEBURG (MARIPOSA CO) - DUE
TO A ROCK SLIDE - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

Mariposa County has declared an emergency due to the closure of highway 140. Here's an article about the situation:

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=4199596

Highway 140 is now open with one way controled traffic through the slide area.

And now it's closed again.

I found some photos of the slide(s) here:

http://www.tuolumnemeadows.org/index.php?cat=20
http://www.tuolumnemeadows.org/index.php?page=19

Another article on the slide:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2006/06/01/state/n122554D64.DTL

Lastest word is they are expecting 140 to remain closed at least through the summer.

Here's some more pictures of the slide area:

http://www.mariposacounty.org/sheriff/Rock%20Slide%20May%2029%202006.htm

Here are some of the concerns as view by Mariposa County:

http://www.mariposacounty.org/sheriff/Lee%20Stetson%20message.htm

The plan to build two temporary bridges around the slide area has been approved. So far there's no word on when construction will begin or how long it'll take.

Here's an article about constrution of the detour getting started:

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/12385357p-13111907c.html

Construction of the bypass has begun.

Highway 140 will open to commuters on Monday, July 31st. Opening times will be very limited and visitors to the park should use other highways. Details can be found here:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/announcements/article/236/821/

Hours of operation in the morning:

Westbound traffic will leave at 5:30 a.m.

Eastbound traffic will leave at 6 a.m.

Vehicles need to arrive and be in line before the scheduled leaving time or they will not be allowed to join the caravan.

Hours of operation in the evening:

Westbound traffic will leave at 6 p.m.

Eastbound traffic will leave at 6:30 p.m.

Westbound traffic will leave at 7:00 p.m.

Vehicles need to arrive and be in line before the scheduled leaving time or they will not be allowed to join the caravan.

Released: 2006-08-07 17:06:00

Highway 140 Hours of Opening - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would like to remind motorist the hours that the caravans will be escorted around the Highway 140 rock slide.

In the morning:

Westbound traffic will leave at 5:30 a.m. west of El Portal on Foresta Road

Eastbound traffic will leave at 6 a.m. from approximately five miles east of Briceburg.

Vehicles need to arrive and be in line before the scheduled leaving time or they will not be allowed to join the caravan.

Hours of operations in the evening:

Westbound traffic will leave at 6 p.m. west of El Portal on Foresta Road

Eastbound traffic will leave at 6:30 p.m. from approximately five miles east of Briceburg.

Vehicles need to arrive and be in line before the scheduled leaving time or they will not be allowed to join the caravan.

Due to roadway limitations vehicles over 28 feet in length will not be allowed through the detour. The California Highway Patrol will be on site to enforce these construction workzone rules and regulations.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday August 18th Highway 140 will be open to traffic from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. CALTRANS goal is to open the road 24 hours a day in 2 weeks.

During this interim period the road will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with 10 minute intervals between green lights. Vehicles under 28 feet, bicycles and pedestrians will be allowed.

SR 140
[CENTRAL CALIFORNIA]
IS OPEN DAYLIGHT HOURS WITH 1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 20 MI EAST OF MARIPOSA
(MARIPOSA CO) FROM 0600 HRS TO 2000 HRS & CLOSED FROM 2000 HRS EACH NIGHT TO
0600 HRS EACH MORNING 7 DAYS A WEEK - DUE TO A ROCK SLIDE - VEHICLES OVER
28 FEET ARE PROHIBITED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE
AN ALTERNATE ROUTE DURING THE NIGHTTIME HOURS

[YOSEMITE NATL PARK]
FOR YOSEMITE NAT'L PARK ROAD INFORMATION CALL 209-372-0200