Snelling, CA…From Caltrans…Caltrans has closed northbound and southbound State Route 59 (SR-59) for five miles from Reilly Road to Sandy Mush Road in Merced County for repair work following last week’s heavy rain. The photos below are of the bridge at Mariposa Creek, where crews are watching vigilantly and awaiting for the water level to drop to an optimum level so they can safely re-open SR-59. The closure is expected to last multiple days, in order to safely allow the water level from the crossing with Mariposa Creek to fall before re-opening the road.

This stretch of SR-59 experienced flooding beginning during last Thursday’s storm.

Caltrans crews have cleared drains, installed sand bags where necessary and kept a constant watch over the roadways impacted by the storming throughout Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties. Changeable message signs (CMS) on neighboring state roadways have been activated to warn drivers of the SR-59 closure.

Motorists can expect an additional 15 minutes of travel time due to the closure. Work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials and construction related issues.