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Highway 330 closure continues to cut off major road to Big Bear – Orange County Register

Highway 330 closure continues to cut off major road to Big Bear – Orange County Register

Nearly 5 miles of Highway 330 that leads to the resort community of Big Bear is closed until December.

The closure, which began Sept. 24, is the result of September’s 20,000-acre Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which damaged barriers designed to prevent vehicles from driving over the berm.

Highway 330, which is the most traveled route to Big Bear Lake and accessible from the 210 Freeway in Highland, will remain completely closed in both directions from Highland Avenue in Highland to Live Oak Drive. which near Running Springs in an unincorporated area of ​​San Bernardino County, Caltrans said in a news release.

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On Sept. 21, contractors began repairing 4.8 miles of damaged guardrails, rebuilding burned sidewalks and signs, removing boulders and debris and replacing drainage systems.

The $9.8 million emergency project is expected to be completed in early December, with the road reopening Dec. 9, Caltrans said in a news release.

“Crews have made significant progress in completing repairs,” Caltrans spokesman Eric Dionne said.

He added that when the road first opens, it will only go in one direction. Officials don’t know how long the arrangement will last, Dionne said.

Big Bear Lake City officials advise travelers from the south to use Highway 38 from Redlands and those coming from the north to take Highway 18 from Luzerne Valley to reach the area.

While 330 remains closed until crews determine it is safe, no businesses were affected, officials said.

“This has not impacted tourism in Big Bear Lake,” said Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear. “This is likely just a minor inconvenience for visitors who are used to traveling up and down the mountain using this route.”

Some of the 18 freeways are a bit congested due to the closure of 330, said Leslie Padilla, office assistant for the California Highway Patrol.

December through March are typically the busiest months for tourists visiting Big Bear, Scott said.

“Now that we see snow, we’re going to see that impact grow,” he said.

“As a tourist town, even though we have road closures, we are open as a community and welcome visitors with open arms,” Scott said.

For updates on the 330 closure, click here.

Originally published: