[I would have posted it in the appropriate thread, but the search on this forum is poor and I couldn't find it easily]
I'm working on the highway pages today, going through the June CTC minutes. I saw the following revision to the 2024 SHOPP, which should provoke some discussion. Folks: This is why, when I post my changelogs and such, you should really read what is in the CTC minutes section.
In June 2025, the CTC revised this project in the 2024 SHOPP: 07-LA-39 40.0/44.4. PPNO 07-5381; ProjID 0718000117; EA 34770. Route 39 Near Falling Springs, from 1.8 miles north of Crystal Lake Road to Route 2. Rehabilitate and reopen a 4.4 mile segment of Route 39 as an evacuation route. (Long Lead Project) (PA&ED, PS&E, R/W Sup only). FY Changes: 29-30 28-29. Allocation Changes ($ × $1000) ["⊘" indicates phase not programmed]: PS&E $7,000 $8,632; R/W Sup $100 $178; ⊘Con Sup $7,000 $13,201; ⊘R/W Cap $100 $3; ⊘Const Cap $35,000 $51,582; TOTAL $57,100 $81,496. Note: Program PS&E and R/W support phases on this long lead project because the environmental document has been completed. Advance the year of delivery to expedite the reopening of the route so that it can be used as an evacuation route in case emergencies such as wildfires. Update project description to match the preferred alternative. Increase in cost is based on the estimate for the preferred alternative.
(Source: June 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #58)
So the plan is to first have it ready as an evacuation route, then to work on it further to open it to everyone?
Seemingly so, the insinuation seems to be eventual full reopening.
Quote from: LilianaUwU on August 09, 2025, 08:52:42 PMSo the plan is to first have it ready as an evacuation route, then to work on it further to open it to everyone?
That's unclear from the CTC minutes. All that is clear is that, for now, it is being opened as an evacuation route. We may know more if we can find the completed environmental document.
This might be "the appropriate thread" (found by going to Google and entering "California SR 39 site:aaroads.com/forum"):
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22380.0 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=22380.0)
Quote from: gonealookin on August 09, 2025, 10:10:42 PMThis might be "the appropriate thread" (found by going to Google and entering "California SR 39 site:aaroads.com/forum"):
Ah, out of habit I used Route instead of SR (because that's the convention for auto-linking on my website), and I didn't restrict it to the forum. I was using search within the forum, not Google.
I've never seen any forum whose search is anywhere near as good as a Google search of the forum. The only advantage is that the forum can narrow the search to a particular section or thread, but you're more likely to be trying to find the right section or thread.
Quote from: LilianaUwU on August 09, 2025, 08:52:42 PMSo the plan is to first have it ready as an evacuation route, then to work on it further to open it to everyone?
I can see it now: the fire's burning up the canyon, and everyone's crowding at the gate, saying "Who's got the key?"
Quote from: pderocco on August 10, 2025, 05:49:05 AMI've never seen any forum whose search is anywhere near as good as a Google search of the forum. The only advantage is that the forum can narrow the search to a particular section or thread, but you're more likely to be trying to find the right section or thread.
Pfft. I have yet to see Google search all boards in our forum. It leaves a couple out.
Quote from: pderocco on August 10, 2025, 05:50:06 AMQuote from: LilianaUwU on August 09, 2025, 08:52:42 PMSo the plan is to first have it ready as an evacuation route, then to work on it further to open it to everyone?
I can see it now: the fire's burning up the canyon, and everyone's crowding at the gate, saying "Who's got the key?"
I knew there was a reason I keep boltcutters in the car.
Even as an evacuation route, this seems like the one that is going to happen "any day now." I remember back in 2003, it was supposedly going to be opened as an evacuation route, although I don't think it ever happened.
I just find the whole thing odd. It's been closed since 1978, all from one rock slide? I understand they happen, but there are many other routes in the state that go through similar issues and just close and reopen as necessary. Did Caltrans just get lazy with this one and just for whatever reason not want to reopen it? I know things are always more complicated than they seem, but I really can't figure out why this one segment has remained close for nearly a half century at this point.
Quote from: Quillz on September 21, 2025, 02:24:26 AMEven as an evacuation route, this seems like the one that is going to happen "any day now." I remember back in 2003, it was supposedly going to be opened as an evacuation route, although I don't think it ever happened.
I just find the whole thing odd. It's been closed since 1978, all from one rock slide? I understand they happen, but there are many other routes in the state that go through similar issues and just close and reopen as necessary. Did Caltrans just get lazy with this one and just for whatever reason not want to reopen it? I know things are always more complicated than they seem, but I really can't figure out why this one segment has remained close for nearly a half century at this point.
What I've never understood about all of this is why EIRs would be needed to clear and reopen an existing roadway. It isn't as though new right of way is being obtained.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on September 21, 2025, 09:04:18 AMQuote from: Quillz on September 21, 2025, 02:24:26 AMEven as an evacuation route, this seems like the one that is going to happen "any day now." I remember back in 2003, it was supposedly going to be opened as an evacuation route, although I don't think it ever happened.
I just find the whole thing odd. It's been closed since 1978, all from one rock slide? I understand they happen, but there are many other routes in the state that go through similar issues and just close and reopen as necessary. Did Caltrans just get lazy with this one and just for whatever reason not want to reopen it? I know things are always more complicated than they seem, but I really can't figure out why this one segment has remained close for nearly a half century at this point.
What I've never understood about all of this is why EIRs would be needed to clear and reopen an existing roadway. It isn't as though new right of way is being obtained.
Looking at historical imagery in Google Earth, I think there have been repeated small slides, each needing individual repairs, since the earliest 1995 imagery. So perhaps they'd need to reshape the slopes outside the actual ROW, to reduce the danger of future slides.
Seems likely. Those are similar issues with CA-1 through Big Sur and US-101 near Crescent City. I know the latter will eventually get a tunnel realignment, the former will probably have to be realigned at some point as well.
I had heard the argument that it was due to a mountain goat.
That might have been one factor. It's not the only factor.