As of yesterday, March 16, and continuing until mid-June, Highway 330 is closed to all traffic, as CalTrans has implemented an emergency slope and road repair project, to address the erosion caused by recent storms and subsequent culvert failure. The emergency project will replace the culvert on Highway 330 near City Creek, about eight miles up from the base of the mountain. The repair project will require installation of a new pipe underneath the roadway and then the replacement of the road, which is why CalTrans estimates several weeks of road closure, with hopes to have the road re-opened by mid-June. In the meantime, motorists are advised to use Highway 18 through the desert communities or Highway 38 from Redlands/Mentone to access the Big Bear Valley; another (longer) choice is the Highway 18 route from San Bernardino through the Lake Arrowhead area to Big Bear. Whatever choice you make, just know that Highway 330 will remain closed to traffic for several weeks, and likely until June.
Just a note: This closure will not affect the race route for the Amgen Tour of California on Friday, May 21st. Professional cyclists will come up the mountain to Big Bear using Highways 138, 18 and 38.
