This post was written by Lisa Cutting, 2002-2020 Eastern Sierra Policy Director, 2000-2001 Environmental Resource Coordinator, and 1999 Mono Lake Intern.
Phase 2 of the Lee Vining Rockfall Project was originally scheduled to begin this past Monday but now Caltrans must stabilize the areas affected by the Marina Fire before the Rockfall Project can begin. Emergency funds, work plan, and a contractor have been secured and work is scheduled to begin within days as soon as materials arrive.
Key components of the emergency plan include:
— Replacing guardrail that burned in the fire.
— Installing additional K-rail (white concrete barriers) along the west shoulder of the entire Marina Fire area.
— Below the steep, rock-prone burned areas install cable mesh netting to protect motorists from rocks and other debris.
— Excavate “debris basins” at the base of three areas identified as potential slide areas to prevent the material from entering the highway.
During this emergency project crews will work 12-hour days, Monday through Saturday. Motorists can expect up to 20-minute delays with controlled one-lane traffic with a pilot car escort through the project area. Caltrans has received permission to temporarily reduce the speed limit in the project area from 60 to 50 miles per hour as an extra safety precaution.
Once the emergency response work has been completed Phase 2 of the Lee Vining Rockfall Project will begin as originally planned. The contractor is hoping to keep the original commitment of completing Phase 2 by the end of this season but is now getting a much later start than planned. Motorist and work crew safety is paramount and it is too early in the process to be able to accurately estimate how long some of the tasks will take.
Please check back often as we will post all project updates and additional information as we receive them.