SR-89 in Alpine County expected to reopen by 6 p.m. Thursday

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - Good news for the residents of Markleeville was announced during a special meeting Thursday - SR-89 should reopen by 6 p.m. on August 18. There will be one-way controlled traffic with a red light for the immediate future. It will be the same control light situation as what was in place prior to the mudflow and heavy rains on August 3.

Crews have placed native backfill material under the road, and the final structural finishes are happening Thursday morning which include two feet of an aggregate base with an 11-inch top of hot-mix asphalt.

Caltrans said they have detected some undermining of the rest of the road that will be addressed before opening both lanes. Work will continue in the area until the route is safe enough to fully reopen.

There have been no weather impacts which allowed crews to work quickly and complete ahead of schedule.

The emergency access road worked well during the time SR-89 was closed, but those twice daily escorts will end and that road will close once the highway reopens.

Trucks and campers will be able to move through the highway unobstructed besides the intermittent red signal light.

For up-to-the-minute road controls, visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/.