Various portions of Highway 330 to Big Bear collapsed after recent rainstorms caused the road to buckle, transportation officials said Monday.

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A large portion of the road crumbled Dec. 20 and other sections have been damaged since, prompting the closure, said Caltrans spokesman Darin Cooke.

“State Route 330 will remain closed possibly through the winter due to damage sustained during recent storm events,” said CalTrans spokeswoman Shelli Lombardo.

Geologists surveyed the mountain road Monday to assess the damage and prepare a plan of action, she said.

“If you look up to the side” of the mountain, she said, “the slope slid; and as a result of that, the road buckled. This has happened on the mountain before, and we’ve had to wait all winter till the mountain dried out and we could fix the road.”

Officials are rerouting motorists traveling to Big Bear onto State Route 38 through Redlands. Highway 18 was also closed to traffic but may reopen sooner because damage was not as severe as officials initially thought, Lombardo said.

She said there is no chain requirement for cars now but urged drivers to carry chains in their vehicles if they planned to drive up to Big Bear.
LA