Last Chance Grade Is Safe, Says Caltrans, But Prepare for Delays When Traveling Through

Slide on 101

A light shines on the crumbling side of Last Chance Grade. [All photos from Caltrans District 1]

Press release from Caltrans:

On U.S. Highway 101 at Last Chance Grade south of Crescent City in Del Norte County motorists should anticipate one-way traffic control via temporary traffic signal with 10 to 20 minute delays at all hours. Delay lengths are subject to change and Caltrans District 1 will update the public when there is a new schedule.

After a retaining wall was damaged due to geological movement at postmile 14.4 the roadway lost 10 feet of width and now the highway is currently only 18 feet wide at that location. Further loss of roadway width there will likely result in a full closure of the road.

Slide on 101Emergency crews will be working to drive piles into the ground below the roadway to provide more stability at that location. Originally it was anticipated work could cause up to one-hour nighttime delays for motorists, but experts have found a way around that for now.

Motorists can find up to date information regarding the status of the location by calling 1-800-GAS-ROAD, using Quickmap online, or by checking the “Caltrans District 1” Facebook page.
Photos and videos of the work zone will be available as provided by crews and posted on the Caltrans District 1 Facebook page. At this time we ask media to respect the space and concentration required in the emergency work zone.

We would also ask that you remind viewers, readers, and listeners that as long as the roadway is open, it is safe for travel. We have experts in the area 24-7 assessing the situation and also have near real time monitoring equipment that additionally assesses geological activity in the general vicinity of Last Chance Grade.

Slide on 101

A view over the side from Last Chance Grade.

We also would like people to be encouraged to visit lastchancegrade.com to learn more about a planned bypass of the area, a high-priority project for Caltrans and the community. While following state and federal laws, Caltrans is working with stakeholders and the community to expedite the progress of the bypass in any way possible.

 

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14 Comments
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Just-me
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Just-me
7 years ago

Bypass – LOL. They wait until it falls into the ocean first then they will build a bypass.

Capitalist pig
Guest
Capitalist pig
7 years ago

Bypass are you serious.? Google Willits bypass protesters in tree .so you can see what Caltrans has to deal with . From the so-called progressives

Cc
Guest
Cc
7 years ago
Reply to  Capitalist pig

Yeah cuz draining wetlands that take carbon from the atmosphere is such a great idea. And plowing through federally protected native american artifact area. And hiring water tender contracters who steal water from neighborhood tanks and school tanks with no repurcussions. And doing such shotty building that the bypass collapses while being built injuring many workers.
If thats the world you want to live in i feel sorry for you. I sure dont, and believe me, if your house was in the path of that bypass youd have bern glad to see the protesters.
Any chance to put down anyone different than you, eh?

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
7 years ago
Reply to  Cc

Make it six lanes

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  Cc

I loved sitting in willits for an hour letting all the carbon dioxide from my car go into the environment.

Randal MacKendrick
Guest
Randal MacKendrick
7 years ago
Reply to  Cc

There are no houses, no wetlands and the local tribes aren’t too concerned. In fact a bypass would largely be built on logged over land, some log haul roads are still there, the path is there to see. Let Last Chance fall, bypass it and promote the ”Old” section north to CC as a scenic drive like the Ave or Prairie Creek.

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago

I wouldn’t trust it as far as I could physically pick it up & throw it!!!

D
Guest
D
7 years ago

Could you please post a link to Google maps showing this location?

gunther
Guest
gunther
7 years ago

If they don’t build the bypass, this will be the headline 20 years from now: “Last Chance Grade Is Safe, Says Caltrans, But Prepare for Delays When Traveling Through”. That blue clay is no good for roads.

Zippy
Guest
Zippy
7 years ago

Call Billy Etter’s crew. They will get it done in a week. Maybe two. https://kymkemp.com/2017/03/07/wilder-ridge-and-landergen-road-reopens/

Gary Wellborn
Guest
Gary Wellborn
7 years ago

So what is the history of the “Last Chance Grade” Moniker and when did it get its’ name? Interesting history.

JB
Guest
JB
7 years ago

They built a road through a place called Last Chance Slide. What could possibly go wrong?!