101 Is Open! Traffic Is Moving Through the Slide Area

Heavy equipment working

Heavy equipment working on the slide to open Hwy 101. [Photo from Caltrans]

Since roughly 5:30 p.m. traffic has been flowing on Hwy 101. Caltrans began predicting that the major highway would reopen this evening only yesterday. Earlier estimates were for later in the week. But, according to Phil Frisbie, Public Information Officer for Caltrans District 1, “Traffic is flowing.”  Our contractors have continued to make tremendous headway towards restoring U.S. Highway 101 north of Leggett in Mendocino County to one-way controlled traffic.

He warns that the road is only one way controlled traffic so expect delays. In addition, the contractors will still continue to work on the slide. “We’re still going to be out there for a few months,” he said.

Caltrans District 1 announced the open Hwy on 101 and asked travelers to “[p]lease follow flagger instructions. Spotters will be watching the hillside 24/7 for rockfall and will alert the flaggers to briefly stop traffic as needed.”

A Caltrans Facebook post from earlier today describes some of the extraordinary methods for clearing the slide that the contractor has used. It says,

[A] spider excavator was airlifted to a point above the slope escarpment this afternoon and will work to remove sediment and other debris from the top of the slide. Spider excavators are used to tackle jobs on remarkably difficult terrain, and the subcontractor we’re working with specializes in this kind of work.

This equipment which is lifted by helicopter will continue to work in the area for some time.

Be prepared for some delays. But, hallelujah, 101 is open now!

Reader Alysha Valier sent us this video of the helicopter that has been lifting the spider excavator and speeding up the opening of the road.

Facebooktwitterpinterestmail

Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules

Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

28 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Richard
Guest
Richard
6 years ago

Awesome

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
6 years ago

Great work cal-trans

Mike
Guest
Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Gazoo

Caltrans didn’t do it. Sub contractor did it. Caltrans would still be there.

Sylvia
Guest
Sylvia
6 years ago

Yay thank you to everyone that has made this happen

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
6 years ago

Never heard of a spider excavator before. They look really cool. I want one. Caltrans rocks!

MOGTX
Guest
6 years ago

Ya they can dig anywhere just about vertical up hill .

Zippy
Guest
Zippy
6 years ago

Yippee!!!! These guys rock (Pun intended. As a lot of people here can hardly spell the word “at,” maybe you should look up the word “pun.”). (Helpful hint: There is a lot of punctuation going on there. Live and learn.) Thanks CalTrans and their contractors. And thanks Jerry Brown for making the California government work.

Greg Musson
Guest
Greg Musson
6 years ago
Reply to  Zippy

Thanks Jerry Brown, what a f’n joke!

Zippy
Guest
Zippy
6 years ago

I have to say that the video is stupid. A minute and a half I will never get back. Here is a better video… https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V4QxzeyFihA

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
6 years ago
Reply to  Zippy

Your video is also stupid. In fact, it’s not even a proper video – just a collection of stills. Try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSDt0PMoJU

just me
Guest
just me
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

no they cant. makes them feel than others.

Frank
Guest
Frank
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Amen, Kim. Hope you are well.

Dr Brian Ormond
Guest
Dr Brian Ormond
6 years ago
Reply to  Bushytails

THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT SHOWS THE SPIDER EXCAVATOR AT WORK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSDt0PMoJU
I LIKE IT THE BEST.
GLAD TO KNOW THAT A HELICOPTER CAN AND IS PLANTING ON THE TOP TO GET SOME OF THE WEIGHT OFF THE SLIDE.

Livin' Easy
Guest
Livin' Easy
6 years ago

Great youtube video. I WANT ONE !!!! How much fun would that be. If only I was younger to learn that for a job…..

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

I want one!

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
6 years ago

Holy Bleep! THAT is so amazing, I want one also! Actually very cool technology…perhaps that is the only reason the debris removal was so quick.

Friendly grammar girl
Guest
Friendly grammar girl
6 years ago

Check the last word of the second paragraph and thanks for all you do.

William Shakespeare
Guest
6 years ago

Has anyone gone through the slide yet ? How long did you have to wait?

Midnight Rider
Guest
Midnight Rider
6 years ago

Wow that was some great work!

Karen
Guest
Karen
6 years ago

Web site and phone conditions recording both indicate 101 closed at this site as of 7:00 am this morning. Does that mean the road was closed again overnight? Leaving Eureka in about 20 minutes and will need to change my plans if this is so.

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
6 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Always a big Thank you for such great road coverage! I travel quite a bit during horse show season the last 14yrs, also during winter months for family when possible, my two routes are hwy 36,to Auburn/Lincoln area, I live in Carlotta, if 36 is bad, 101 down to hwy 20. Thanx for continuing your site while trying to come to terms with your diagnosis and extreme pain. From a chronic pain from lifetime of arthritis, hoping technology has come up with something to help YOU. Have a nice day Kym.

Lyne
Guest
Lyne
6 years ago

The Redwood trees and us have enjoyed the quiet of no Big Trucks coming thru Richardson grove on 101..why can’t they all travel on I-5 and leave our road to locals and tourists.

Blowing it up
Guest
Blowing it up
6 years ago
Reply to  Lyne

I agree. It’s been so quiet down in cooks valley. Really nice. Now just big rigs with flapping pallets of soil for all the “farmers” laughable
Ha

Miss Purty
Guest
Miss Purty
6 years ago
Reply to  Lyne

Couldn’t agree more, Neighbor!