A substantial segment of the Angeles Crest Highway has been shut down due to significant damage following recent storms, with closures impacting the road east of Highway 39 in the San Gabriel Mountains. According to KTLA, the affected area extends from Cedar Springs to State Route 138, totaling more than three miles. Officials are reporting that storm runoff likely played a role in undermining the roadway, leading to its collapse at multiple locations. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Assistant Director Mike Leum described an incident on Instagram where a fire truck spun out on a patch of ice, although it was subsequently towed to safety.
Damage to the popular mountain route has rendered it impassable, with buckled asphalt and debris strewn across the landscape. ABC7's aerial footage shows a road dramatically affected by a landslide, shutting down both directions of State Route 2 in the vicinity of Mt. Waterman ski lifts. As a result of these hazardous conditions, Caltrans has dispatched crews to conduct damage assessments and initiate necessary repairs. No injuries have been reported in relation with these incidents thus far.
Currently, there appears to be no definitive timeline for when Angeles Crest Highway will once again be safe for public use. Caltrans District 7 released a statement emphasizing the extent of the roadbed damage and indicating that the road will remain closed as evaluations and repairs are ongoing. Given the complex and extensive nature of the damage, authorities are preparing for a potentially prolonged closure.
Further storms in the forecast complicate the outlook for the highway's reopening. As the region braces for more inclement weather, it is likely that repair efforts will face additional setbacks. This uncertainty poses a challenge not only to Caltrans but also to local residents and businesses reliant on this vital artery through the San Gabriel Mountains. As officials work to mend the fractured road, travelers are urged to seek alternative routes and exercise caution in areas adjacent to the compromised highway segments.
