[UPDATE: Wednesday] Hwy 299 Closed Due to Rock Slide

Hwy 299 closure information cms signHwy 299 (which runs east from Hwy 101 north of Arcata to Redding) is closed 4.5 miles west of Big Bar in Trinity County. A rock slide has crossed the road at Big French Creek. Caltrans is advising motorists to use an alternate route.

According to the California Highway Patrol Incident page, “The material that came down created a substantial hole in the roadway. [Hwy 299 at Big French Creek] will be closed til at least 0800 [today] at earliest.”

The closure is east of Del Loma where Hwy 299 crosses Big French Creek.

UPDATE 8:08 a.m.: According to a notation on the California Highway Patrol Incident page, There are large cracks in the mountain above the road and large chunks of debris rolling down. Caltrans is reporting there don’t yet have an estimate of how long it will take to reopen the road. Depending on where you are going there are different workarounds. Hwy 36 which crosses east just south of Fortuna is good for cars and pickups with drivers that are used to very rural roads. (This road is not for the faint-hearted.) Hwy 96 might work for those headed north of Redding. Take 299 and then 96 at Willow Creek. (Again, this road is rural and not for those used to freeway driving.) Other options include going north on Hwy 101 and crossing over on Hwy 199 north of Crescent City or heading south on 101 and crossing over on Hwy 20 north of Ukiah.

UPDATE 8:24 a.m.: Caltrans updated their Facebook post to read, “Crews are working to clear the debris from the road and will try to reopen the highway to controlled traffic by this afternoon. As with all slides, this may change as the situation develops.”

UPDATE 8:34 a.m.:
According to Myles Cochrane of Caltrans, “1 p.m. is the estimated time of reopening for now.”
UPDATE 9 a.m.: Caltrans now says on their Facebook page, “RT 299 in Trinity CO near Big French Creek will likely remain closed until tomorrow, Wed.”

UPDATE 9:08 a.m.: Caltrans reports, “Route 299 is expected to remain CLOSED on Tuesday, 11/15. Approximately ten thousand cubic yards of debris are currently in the roadway. There is currently no estimated time to reopening.”

UPDATE Wednesday: 299 to Remain Closed Today, Says Caltrans

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24 Comments
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LeAnna Carson-Hansen
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LeAnna Carson-Hansen
7 years ago

Thank you for informing us of the closure.

CnD
Guest
CnD
7 years ago

Caltrans Quickmap says one lane is open. http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov

CnD
Guest
CnD
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thanks!

CnD
Guest
CnD
7 years ago

What do the large message signs on 101 in Arcata say?

CnD
Guest
CnD
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thanks!

Seamus
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Seamus
7 years ago

Whew, I just came over 299 last night.

Me
Guest
Me
7 years ago

One highway down, two to go.

Jansen
Guest
7 years ago

Is one lane open or is it completely closed? Trying to get to weaverville. Any hope?

Ice
Guest
Ice
7 years ago
Reply to  Jansen

Take highway 36 to hayfork then 3 up to 299, thats still open.

Red Neck Mama
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Red Neck Mama
7 years ago

If travelling on 96 make sure to have a full tank of fuel. Stations close early. Go slow watch for rocks.

Ice
Guest
Ice
7 years ago
Reply to  Red Neck Mama

Hwy 96 is closed in the bluffs before Weirchpec also. Or was at 5:00 pm..mudslides.

::)
Guest
::)
7 years ago

Really if you haven’t lived here awhile and driven back roads, just postpone your trip, it’s not worth it. Especially if your not used to driving where there are no street/highway lights on the side of the roads. In the city most roads are lit by one or the other.
Right now the deer are all over the place and not paying attention to cars (think horny boy catching scent of ovulating female) so the dangers on windy roads are increased at this time of year even for folks who drive those roads daily. Hitting a deer sux too, even worse if they don’t die and you don’t have a weapon to put them out of their misery.
Add pouring rain, wind and slick roads with potential debris in roads and, as mentioned already, no gas/stores around for miles and miles in some areas. Pretty good recipe for a not so fun and potentially dangerous drive. It’s no surprise that cars and people are found years after going missing in rivers and lagoons, it’s really easy to misjudge roadways.
The roads and the ocean here will eatcha if your not careful and you really don’t want to get stuck and wander around some rural area. There’s some wacky folks in them there hills, and I’m not talking pot growing.

tt
Guest
tt
7 years ago
Reply to  ::)

exactly . I would like to share your post .

Woo Woo
Guest
Woo Woo
7 years ago

But I prefer diarrhea.

Too Old Timers
Guest
Too Old Timers
7 years ago

There is an easy back road around the slide. Easy Peasy!

Jillermae
Guest
Jillermae
7 years ago

Is it open yet?

Lexie
Guest
Lexie
7 years ago

what road would i take to get to Redding from Willow creek? Not super familiar with the area and any input would help out! Thank you!

Michael Shreeve
Guest
Michael Shreeve
7 years ago

Much of the back road from the 299 is called 16 by Google Maps . But, these roads may not be labeled that way when your there. You start out at big bar and end up in junction city. From 16 you head down big creek rd to JC. One wrong turn could take you to hayfork. A bunch of labeling by the locals would help. Signs. Thinking I wouldn’t want to do it without a winch and a good chainsaw and some emergency supplies, especially during the coming storms. Slides are possible in the mountains. Looks easy on the map but reality is usually a little different lol.

jo
Guest
jo
7 years ago

awsome