Regional Traffic Advisory Committee Meets And Discusses Solutions

Big Bear, Ca, January 20, 2011, 3:00pm – On January 20th the Regional Traffic Advisory Committee or RTAC, subcommittee of the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce met to discuss the current situation of the roads in the Big Bear Valley, and those leading to and from.  Representatives from CalTrans, Forest Service, MARTA, City of Big Bear Lake, Senator Dutton’s Office, The Chamber of Commerce and many others met to discuss the three routes into Big Bear, and a need for increased signage along all routes.  Due to the weather damage felt around California, CMS signs are in short supply, therefore alternative forms of signage are being thought of.  Loren Hafen of Holloway’s Marina, and Big Bear Chamber of Commerce Member stated the need for more signage on routes up to Big Bear.  Hafen stated that signs at the bottom tell them the way to go, but that additional signage along the way is like “bread crumbs,” and gives people confidence that they know they are traveling in the right direction.  MARTA stated they have been impacted by the closure of Highway 330 as the off the mountain route has been diverted to go through the Arrowhead area.  Charity Jane, Administrative Assistant for the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District stated that the hospital has been impacted by a delay in transfer time for critical patients, and other patients needed to be transferred off the hill, because of congestion on certain routes, which has caused the hospital to utilize Mercy Air and other medical air ships to transfer patients.  Brent Tregaskis of Big Bear Mountain Resorts, and Chair of the RTAC committee told KBHR that the resorts are pushing three routes to Big Bear.  The RTAC committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at 9:30am at the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce.  For more information contact the Chamber at (909) 866-4607.