Stockton, CA… Monitor Pass/State Route 89, Ebbetts Pass/State Route 4 & Sonora Pass/State Route 108 Closed Until Spring Due to Excessive Snow

Following this weekend’s storm that dropped snow throughout the
Sierra Nevada, and with more inclement weather forecast this week, Caltrans will close Monitor Pass/State Route 89, Ebbetts Pass/SR-4 and Sonora Pass/SR-108 today (December 15, 2020) at 12 noon for the winter season. These three passes had already been closed on a temporary basis due to snow, ice and weather.

Tioga Pass, a continuation of SR-120 within Yosemite National Park, has already been closed for winter. Yosemite crews maintain all roads within the park.

Several factors influence the temporary closing, opening, and seasonal closures of our mountain pass roadways. Storms, accumulation of snow and overall road conditions are all considered in the decision-making process.

The mountain passes will be closed at these locations:

• Monitor Pass/SR-89 will be closed from the State Route 4 Junction in Alpine County to the Interstate 395 Junction in Mono County;

• Ebbetts Pass/SR-4 will be closed from the west end of Lake Alpine in Alpine County to the SR-89 junction in Alpine County;

• Sonora Pass/SR-108 will be closed from the SnoPark east of Strawberry in
Tuolumne County to six miles west of I-395 in Mono County.

Traffic Advisory

These mountain passes will remain closed until the winter storm season has
passed. Prior to opening in 2021, these highways will be cleared of snow and debris, then District 10 maintenance will inspect the roadways and make necessary repairs before they are opened to the traveling public.

Check ahead: Please check local highway conditions before planning to travel to the high country by visiting the Caltrans Quickmap site at
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the California Highway Information Network at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). Also, the radio may be tuned to the Caltrans Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) at 530 AM, 1610 AM or 1670 AM for information.

For road conditions in Yosemite National Park, please visit:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm or call (209) 372-0200.

Be prepared: A Winter Storm Warning for snow means there will be snow
covered roads and limited visibilities. Travel is not recommended while the
warning is in effect. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Winter weather and road conditions can change rapidly. All vehicles, including those with four-wheel drive or snow tires should carry chains/traction control devices when traveling during snowy weather.

Drivers without chains in their possession may not be allowed to proceed. When highway signs indicate that chains are required, drivers must stop and install chains or risk being cited and fined.

CHAIN CONTROL REQUIREMENT LEVELS:

No Restrictions: Watch for snow on pavement.

R-1: Chains are required on all commercial vehicles (large trucks or buses). All other vehicles must have either snow tread tires or chains on the drive axle.

R-2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow
tread tires. Four-wheel drive vehicles must carry chains in the vehicle.

R-3: Chains required – ALL VEHICLES – no exceptions.

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For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.
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