Rockslides delay Angeles Crest reopening

Loose rocks and other hillside debris could keep traffic off the stretch of road between La Cañada Flintridge and Angeles Forest Highway for as long as a month, Caltrans officials announced Monday.

Caltrans plans to reopen the portion of Angeles Crest Highway that runs above Angeles Forest Highway to the Islip Saddle intersection with State Route 39, an area about 40 miles from the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge.

Recent storms caused rockslides along the road about two miles above La Cañada Flintridge, forcing the stretch of highway closest to town to remain closed, according to a statement by Caltrans.

While clearing the road, crews will also remove loose rocks that threaten to fall from hillsides during future storms.

The section of Angeles Crest Highway from La Cañada to Mt. Wilson was closed last January due to washouts and other post-Station-fire storm damage.

Angeles Crest Highway had also closed from La Cañada to Wrightwood immediately after the Station fire in August 2009, reopening before the end of November that year only to close again less than two months later.

The projected cost of current repairs to Angeles Crest Highway is $16.5 million.