Caltrans Announces That Rebuild and Repair on 299 After Carr Fire Complete

The Carr Fire swept over Hwy 299 last year leaving damaged signs, guardrails, and more behind. [Photo from Caltrans District 2]

Caltrans has completed a project to repair and rebuild State Route 299 in Shasta and Trinity Counties due to damage from the 2018 Carr Fire, currently the seventh most destructive fire in California’s history, burning 229,651 acres. 1,881 structures were destroyed or damaged by the fire.

“The completion of the emergency project coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Carr Fire,” said Bob Franzoia, Acting Caltrans Director. “We remember all those involved in this disaster, and in our own way honor them by repairing and rebuilding this stretch of State Route 299.”

The emergency project repaired 27 miles of highway components damaged by the fire, and replaced guardrail, culverts and other drainage systems. The project also removed thousands of burnt or dead trees that posed an immediate hazard to the public.

“Construction started on August 2018 and as the winter set in, we continued working and monitoring the impact of winter conditions in the burned scar areas, in case immediate response was necessary,” says District 2 Director David Moore.

Monitoring winter conditions is part of managing the impacts of a fire on State Route property and its surroundings. “The fire ravaged slopes created a condition that increases runoff intensity, increases erosion, increases sediment and debris transport, increases the potential for plug culverts, and increases the potential for slope instability and slides. ” says Brent Clements, North Area Construction’s Senior Engineer. “Caltrans and our Contractor decided to stay on board for the winter season to take immediate action if necessary.”

“I must recognize the Caltrans and contractors’ teams on this project who worked tirelessly to bring back the state route to normality. The Project is now complete, concluded Caltrans District 2 Director Dave Moore.

The prime contractor for the Emergency Project is Tullis Incorporated.