Kingsbury Grade closed indefinitely after rocks and dirt slide onto road

4:15 p.m. update: Kingsbury Grade (State Route 207) will remain closed indefinitely on the Carson Valley side of the road as the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) continues safety evaluation and removal of major rockfall.

The highway was closed early Friday afternoon as NDOT and contractor Q&D Construction removed loose trees and earth from a roadside slope to help reduce rock and mud fall onto the highway. The slope had slid approximately one foot within the past 24 hours, posing the threat of bringing mud, rock and debris across the highway.

While that slope was repaired, additional boulders approximately four feet and larger in diameter began falling from other areas onto the highway. NDOT and rockfall mitigation experts will closely evaluate the multiple areas of rockfall to safely remove remaining loose boulders from the roadside slopes. Some of the slopes are more than 100 feet high.

For driver safety, the roadway will remain closed indefinitely until the imminent rockfall danger can be addressed. Residential and business access on the Tahoe side of Kingsbury Grade remains available via U.S. 50. Drivers can log onto nvroads.com or dial 511 before driving for state road updates.

Following this winter’s heavy precipitation, NDOT reminds motorists of the increased likelihood of rockslides and mudslides in mountainous areas. Drivers are reminded to always drive safely and watch the road ahead. Soil saturation and additional winter weather may lead to subsequent future road closures as repairs are made to other roadside slopes.

The section of road is traveled by approximately 5,600 vehicles daily.

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Kingsbury Grade will be closed at least six hours on Friday, April 7 for emergency road work between Daggett Summit and SR206 in the Carson Valley.

The Nevada Department of Transportation will close the road late this morning or early afternoon, and they expect to reopen by late evening Friday. The slope of the road has become destabilized due to heavy precipitation.

While both directions of travel are expected to reopen Friday, continuing weather and precipitation could lead to more lengthy road or lane closures.

For driver safety, NDOT and contractor Q&D Construction will be removing loose trees and earth from the slope and installing a concrete barrier on the roadway shoulder to help reduce rock and mudfall into the road. The closure is anticipated to take place beginning in the late morning through late evening, and drivers are advised to visit nvroads.com or dial 511 before traveling Kingsbury Grade for updates.