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The traveling public is advised that during daylight hours, there will be lane closures and flaggers with pilot cars guiding traffic as the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) places Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlay (HMA) on the existing pavement of U.S. 395 in Bridgeport, Calif. and Conway Summit. Anticipated delays are less than 20 minutes.

The contractor for this $3,226,226 project is Granite Construction, Inc. from Bakersfield, Calif.

HMA overlays are one of the most cost effective, efficient and versatile pavement preservation options available, according to a press release from Caltrans. The benefits include additional structural capacity, enhanced skid resistance, reduced noise levels and improved ride, drainage and aesthetics. Overlays can be placed in varying thickness, allowing the engineer flexibility to design according to the needs of the roadway.

Work began on Monday, Oct. 1, and should be completed by the end of the month.

California Transportation Commission allocates $236 million to drive state’s economic growth and improve transportation    

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated $236 million in new funding to 32 projects that will improve the state’s transportation system and strengthen California’s economy, according another press release from Caltrans.

“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs while at the same time reducing traffic congestion for people and businesses in California,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The allocations include $81 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. In total, nearly $14.5 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been distributed statewide.

The remaining $155 million in allocations came from assorted transportation accounts funded by state and federal dollars.

Among the projects that received funding allocations were:

In Mammoth Lakes, $35000 was allocated for the design phase of the Lower Canyon Blvd. Street Improvements, which will reconstruct curbs, gutters, sidewalks, lights and the storm drain system as well as repave over 2,000 linear feet of roadway with asphalt concrete from Forest Trail to Hillside Drive.

In Independence, $985,000 was allocated for the Independence Town Rehabilitation project. This project will resurface 2.2 miles of pavement, which will extend the pavement life and improve safety. Repaving will take place on Market Street, North Clay Street, Park Street, Washington Street, Rosedale Street, and Payne Street. Construction is scheduled for 2013.

Inyo National Forest Supervisor Jon Regelbrugge recently updated Town Council, on the fuels removal project that started earlier this month affecting the Reds Meadow Valley and Devils Postpile area. Concerned citizen Paul Payne asked Regelbrugge whether the Forest Service planned to repair any damage to the main road down to Reds Meadow Valley after it completes the work. Regelbrugge responded that the road was damaged before the work started, there is no money to do any repair and the Forest Service has no plans to conduct any repairs once its work is done.

Trucks carrying out large quantities of wood will create traffic snafus during several daytime periods. A press release said visitors should expect short traffic delays and could be stopped for 15-20 minutes at the Minaret Vista Entrance Station while loaded log trucks travel the single-lane portion of Reds Meadow Road. Log hauling delays will mainly be between 6-10 a.m. Regelbrugge told Council other traffic controls might also be implemented going to and from the valley floor as the project evolves.

A half-mile of temporary roads was to be constructed to access treatment areas. Heavy equipment will be used to remove trees from treatment areas, including a dozer, loaders and a helicopter in very hard to reach sections. Trees will be hauled from the Reds Meadow Valley on large log trucks, which Payne suggested will likely mean more damage to the narrow road already pocked by potholes and failing patches.

Some of the wood is to be “sold off,” but according to Scott Kusumoto, with the Bureau of Land Management’s Interagency Vegetation Management Team, part of the interagency effort, “sold” in this case translates to a “stewardship trade contract.” The contractor will waive their fees for rights to some of the wood, and also pay a certain amount toward road upkeep, though Kusumoto said the actual money would only pay for superficial touchups. Whether any significant federal funding to cover any major roadwork becomes available in the future is hard to say at this point, he said.

According to Public Affairs Officer Nancy Upham, this week Regelbrugge confirmed Kusumoto’s assessment. “A small amount of the fees paid by the contractor, approximately $25,000, does go into a Surface Replacement Deposit fund,” she explained. “As Scott Kusumoto said, this does not come close to covering the major road work necessary to repair the existing condition of the Reds Meadow road, with most of the problems existing before any logging trucks went down or up the road.”

Simple potholes and other patching work will most likely be covered by that fund, she went on to say. “This work will likely happen next spring or summer as the logging trucks will be lucky to get all of the logs out before the snow flies,” Upham noted, adding that Regelbrugge also seconded Kusumoto’s assessment that the U.S.F.S. can only wait until there is more funding for expanded road rehab.

Pictured: A piece of debris from Wednesday’s helicopter crash (Photo: Mono County Sheriff’s Dept.)/

On Wednesday afternoon, Mono County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch received a call regarding a helicopter crash near Benton Crossing Road.

An eyewitness said a crew of five or six was out setting power transmission lines. The Mono County press release did not elaborate on how the crew escaped or how the helicopter came to rest upside down.

Personnel from the Mono County Sheriff’s Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Long Valley Fire Department, Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service, and Mono County Paramedics were on scene southeast of Mammoth Lakes, near Deer Springs Road (about 1.5 miles off Benton Crossing Road). The two occupants were taken via a second on-site helicopter, from Asplundh Construction Corp. to Mammoth Hospital for evaluation. They were treated for minor injuries and released. The occupants worked for Chesapeake Bay Helicopters, contracted by Southern California Edison.

The crash caused a small brush fire that burned approximately 1.5 acres. Representatives from the NTSB and FAA arrived Thursday to conduct a full investigation.

Don’t be a cowsualty

More and more people are using Benton Crossing Road, according to rancher Mark Johns, which means the risk of vehicle/cattle collisions is higher than ever.

Johns attended Tuesday’s Mono County Board of Supervisors meeting to see if the County could help him work on a solution to increase driver awareness on that road, which is in the middle of an open range.

“We need more notification that livestock is out there,” Johns explained. “There is a lot of activity and more tour buses coming through. If a bus were to hit a cow, it would make national news.”

Last year there was one incident in the area where a car hit a cow and calf, killing both animals.

“There are 25 mph signs for the sage grouse, but no cattle crossing signs,” he said. “We could take the corporate view of ‘you run into our cow, tough luck,’ but we are trying to participate in the community.”

Since it is open range, Johns said if he were ever required to go to court over a vehicle/cattle collision, he would most likely win. He also pointed out that if someone hit a cow and reported it to CHP, the driver’s insurance would most likely end up buying the cow.

“We’re willing to participate in anything,” Johns explained. He is currently working on a fencing project with Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, but the project has to go through environmental studies, first.

“Cows are oblivious to cars,” Johns continued. “If it’s a diesel truck in the winter they’ll even chase it because that’s how we feed them.”

Supervisor Hap Hazard suggested temporary, moveable signs in the area to catch drivers’ attention when the cows are out there, which is generally after July 4.

“It’s a good, paved road,” Hazard said. “You’re not going to get people to slow down with fixed signs.”

He added that many accidents are due to intoxicated drivers at night coming across cows that don’t reflect well.

“Is there a reason why ranchers don’t put something reflective on their cows when they are out there,” asked Supervisor Larry Johnston.

Johns said he hadn’t heard of any product of this type.

The Board directed Public Works staff to work with Johns on temporary, portable signs.

Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher announced today that the Tioga Road will open for the season on Monday, May 7 at noon for all vehicle traffic. The Tioga Road, bounded on both sides by State Highway 120, is the popular east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada. Vault toilets are available in several locations along the road. However, due to damage sustained to two transmission lines, the Tuolumne Meadows area will be without electrical power and visitor services until repairs can be made.

Due to a light snowpack this past winter (approximately 50% of normal), the Tioga Road was able to be cleared of snow early into the summer season. Snow and icy conditions may still exist on hiking trails at the higher elevations. Visitors are urged to be prepared for snowy conditions and possible treacherous stream crossings while hiking the backcountry.

All campgrounds along the Tioga Road are closed.  All commercial services, including the gas station, store, and village grill, are also closed. There are no anticipated opening dates for any of these facilities at this time. -NPS

Above average temperatures and a below average snowpack are allowing road plowing efforts to begin earlier than normal this spring. The Town of Mammoth Lakes will begin plowing roads in the Mammoth Lakes Basin on Monday, April 23. Opening of the Lakes Basin to vehicles will be dependent upon snow, ice and road conditions. The Lakes Basin will be open to pedestrian use while the gates are still closed. Visitors should avoid areas where equipment is removing snow or making road repairs. Visitors should also be aware of hazards in the area, such as wind damaged trees and lake ice that is particularly dangerous during the spring thaw.

Caltrans will begin plowing Hwy 203 from Mammoth Mountain Inn to Minaret Vista on Monday. A single lane will be plowed for administrative access to Reds Meadow Valley to facilitate the cleanup and repair efforts from the Nov. 30, 2011 wind event that blew over thousands of trees in the Reds Meadow Valley. Pedestrian and bicycle access on the plowed road will be allowed up to Minaret Vista, however all motor vehicles will be prohibited until the road is completely plowed and opened.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes, with assistance from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, will begin removing snow, debris and trees from the Reds Meadow Road as soon as April 25. Forest Service, National Park Service, contractor and other crews will resume cleanup and repair efforts in the Valley as soon as the road is cleared.

Due to the complications and hazards associated with roadside cleanup, falling of trees, removal of loose rock and the repair of the road, pedestrian and bicycle access down the Reds Meadow road past the Minaret Vista Station will be prohibited beginning Monday, April 23. The closure will be in effect for the entire Reds Meadow Road and all developed recreation areas and campgrounds accessed by the road. The temporary closure will be lifted or modified upon the completion of cleanup and repair efforts. Hikers attempting to exit the Reds Meadow Valley should also be aware of this closure and make alternative plans. The Forest Service is asking that the public cooperate and respect this necessary closure to ensure its safety, as well as the safety of the crews working in the area. Anyone entering the closed area may be issued a citation. The closure is in effect to allow completion of cleanup and repair work so that the area can be opened as quickly as possible for normal summer recreation activities.

For more information, please call the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 760.924.5500 or visit the Welcome Center next to the Mammoth Ranger Station, or call District Recreation Officer Jon Kazmierski at 760.924.5503.

Glacier Point Road to open in Yosemite National Park; Tioga Road remains closed

The Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park opened for the season on Friday, April 20, at 5 p.m. There will be limited visitor
services available at Glacier Point. Vault toilets will be available, and there will be no running water. There is no projected opening date for the Bridalveil Creek Campground.

The roadway may be wet due to melting snow and wildlife may be present on or near the road. Visitors are urged to drive with caution while in the park. The Glacier Point Road is subject to unexpected and temporary closures due to unpredictable spring storms that may produce snow at the higher elevations of the park.

Due to snow, ice, and avalanche conditions, the Tioga Road will remain closed. There is no projected opening date for the Tioga Road at this time.

For up to date, 24 hour road and weather information, please call 209.372.0200.

-Press Releases

Ever wonder what the guidelines are for highway road closures in the Eastern Sierra? When do authorities deem it too hazardous for vehicles to travel in wind and snow conditions? Do they actually wait for vehicles such as this big rig to blow over before shutting roads down?

According to Caltrans District 9 Public Information Officer Florene Trainor, no, they don’t wait for accidents to happen.

“On the 395 we send out an advisory when the wind reaches 31-38 mph,” she said. “We send out a warning when it reaches 39-46 mph and this is when CHP will stop trucks and screen them to see if they are too light. After the wind reaches 46 mph we implement closures.”

As for snow, the roads are only closed when Caltrans cannot keep up with clearing it with its plows.

“Snow plus wind is the ususal combination for closure,” Trainor concluded. “There is no hard and fast rule in place. The time of closure depends on public safety.”

CHP decides when closures should happen and Caltrans helps to implement those closures, according to Trainor.

Leading the pack, #188 Pat Monnahan, Eastern Sierra local. (Photo: Janewicz-Leggette)

By Jonnel Janewicz-Leggette

Round one of the third annual Road to Mammoth (RTM) qualifier series proved to be a successful day of motocross racing last weekend at Competitive Edge Motocross Park in Hesperia, Calif. Bishop and Mammoth locals arrived at the high desert motocross park to join the many motocross families that have followed the Mammoth Motocross spirit throughout the years.

With a new Racer X Illustrated team partnership along with Monster Energy, the six round RTM event series allows racers to get a head start on entries into the 2012 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross which will be held this year from June 22-July 1.

Round two will continue at Porterville MX in Porterville, Calif. on March 11. For more information on the RTM series visit www.mammothmotocross.com or 2xpromotions.com.

Updated Feb. 10, 10:49 a.m. A very light dusting of snow and cold temperatures made for hazardous driving conditions on the road up to the Main Lodge at Mammoth Mountain on the morning of Feb. 8. These unfortunate motorists discovered the hard way that even the smallest amount of snow can make the roads slick. Driver David Salazar of Paramount (Southern California) was heading westbound at 25 mph when he lost control because of the ice, hit the snowbank and flipped the vehicle. Neither Salazar nor his two passengers were injured. The accident occurred between 8 and 9 a.m. The Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Mono County Paramedics and the Mammoth Lakes Police Department were on scene.

A very light dusting of snow (Mammoth Mountain was reporting one new inch in the last 24 hours on Wednesday) and cold temperatures made for hazardous driving conditions on the road up to the Main Lodge at Mammoth Mountain on the morning of Feb. 8. These unfortunate motorists discovered the hard way that even the smallest amount of snow can make the roads slick. The accident occurred between 8 and 9 a.m. The Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Mono County Paramedics and the Mammoth Lakes Police Department were on scene. (Photo: Kirkner)

The Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park will close at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17. A series of wet weather systems, with the possibility of heavy snow at the higher elevations, are predicated over the next several days. This possible precipitation, coupled with cold temperatures, will result in hazardous driving conditions on the road.

The Glacier Point Road will remain open through at least this evening. The park will assess the road and weather conditions tomorrow, and there is a possibility the road may close due to hazardous driving conditions.

If conditions change that precipitate the reopening of the Tioga Road, the park will issue a subsequent news release.

For updated 24-hour road and weather information, please call 209.372.0200. -NPS