Alpine County – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has removed the snow and cleared the debris from Monitor Pass on State Route 89 (SR-89), and is scheduled to open the highway at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019. The route was temporarily closed on May 16, 2019, prior to a series of heavy winter storms that dropped rain and snow in the region.

Caltrans crews responsible for the Monitor Pass opening extend their best wishes for safe summer traveling to those who enjoy the recreational opportunities that the region has to offer. Winter weather and road conditions can change rapidly, so please visit District 10’s Twitter site at @CaltransDist10 and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Caltrans-District-10-119234288129759/ for news on Monitor Pass/SR-89 and other mountain road conditions.

Ebbetts Pass/SR-4, Sonora Pass/SR-108 and Tioga Road/SR-120 remain closed and there is no estimated opening date for those routes. This year’s work has included a snow pack that was 161% of normal. Crews encountered consistently deeper snow at lower elevations than is normal, with drifts up to 25 feet at higher elevations. That caused work to slow from a normal average of a half-mile per day most years to as little as a tenth of a mile per day this year.

Motorists should expect the worst conditions and be prepared when traveling in areas subject to hazardous conditions. All vehicles, including those with four-wheel drive or snow tires should, additionally, carry chains when traveling during snowy weather. For the latest in highway information please call our Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD
(7623).
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For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Slow For the Cone Zone.
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www.dot.ca.gov
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