STATE ROUTE 168W (BISHOP CREEK)

                                                                                                              ACCESS TO RETRIEVE VEHICLES

BISHOP — Inyo County Sherriff, California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would like to inform the public that access to remove previously trapped vehicles will be available today until 3:00 p.m. Access past the road closure will be with law enforcement escort only.

USFS has closed Sabrina Lake and North Lake campgrounds and trailheads (Piute Pass and Lamarck Lakes), therefore there will be no incoming traffic allowed. Today’s opening is restricted to vehicle removal only.

Thunderstorms are predicted today and may impact the stability of the slide, forcing authorities to close the road. Consequently, vehicle retrieval efforts early on may be more successful.

Caltrans has planned the hard closure of State Route 168W to begin tomorrow, July 25, 2018, for cleanup efforts. There is no anticipated date for reopening the road.

For the latest highway information please visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

STATE ROUTE 168W (BISHOP CREEK) ROAD CLOSED

DUE TO MUD SLIDES AND ROCK FALL

BISHOP — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would like to inform the traveling public that State Route 168W (Bishop Creek/ Aspendell) is closed at approximately post mile 2.

168 mudslide

Photo courtesy of Caltrans

At least three large sections of the road have been affected. The most eastern slide is reported to be 100 yards long and over 40 feet tall. Caltrans crews and CHP are working to assist up to 50 cars that are trapped behind the slides. Crews estimate several days working to reopen this road. North Lake and North Lake Campground, Sabrina Lake and Sabrina Lake Campground are all not accessible. The road is open to Aspendell and Cardinal Village has been set up as the command post to manage the cleanup efforts.

The traveling public is advised to use alternate routes, keep a close eye on the weather, and proceed cautiously when driving through mountainous areas. The safety of Caltrans and other agency’s crews, and that of other responders, is very important. Inattentiveness on the road can have tragic consequences.

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For the latest highway information please visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

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www.dot.ca.gov

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