Caltrans provides Hwy 70 update: Escorts 3 times per day thru canyon, but a blasting project could cause further delays
Caltrans District 2 shared an update today regarding activity in the Feather River Canyon, announcing that the agency and Hat Creek Construction & Materials, Inc, are making progress on the slide that is just east of Belden. Crews are continuing to stabilize the slope and remove material from the area.
While Highway 70 remains closed to through traffic between the Greenville Wye and Jarbo Gap, there are three opening times a day where through traffic is being escorted through the closure. Those times are 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Motorists must be in line at the time of these openings in order to travel through the closure but are asked to not get in line earlier than 15 minutes prior to the opening time. This is to ensure the roadway is not blocked for emergencies or contractor access. The closure is approximately 50 miles long and it is currently taking motorists about an hour and a half to travel through the closure.
In addition to the work happening within this closure, Caltrans District 3 has also begun work on a project on Highway 70 in the Cresta area. In June and July, motorists can expect long delays through this area due to rock blasting operations Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. During these blasting operations, motorists could see a temporary closure of the highway with up to three hour delays.
The work being performed by District 3 is part of a project that will include raising the existing roadway by five feet, shoring up the embankment with rock material, and building a retaining wall to protect against future flood damage. If you have further questions about the District 3 work, please reach out to their Public Information Office at [email protected].
