Road work season starts with Kingsbury

Roadwork season is underway at the top of Kingsbury Grade as the Nevada Department of Transportation conducts repairs from roadside erosion.

Kingsbury has seen a few boulders roll out onto it, but it has been relatively secure through the record winter.

According to the state, one lane will be closed on Kingsbury Grade five miles up from Foothill Road between 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Work start-ed on Thursday.

“While the majority of delays will be brief, motorists should anticipate up to 30-minute travel delays as traffic flaggers alternate directions of traffic through the work zone,” transportation officials said. “Repairs will be made to roadside shoulder erosion created by heavy winter precipitation. Weather-related damage to roadside guardrails will also be repaired.”

Highway 395 fully reopened 7 p.m. Wednesday after an avalanche in February. While it reopened on April 7, one-way traffic control was implemented on Wednesday to finish up, according to the California Department of Transportation.

As of Thursday morning, State Route 89 east of Markleeville re-mains closed due to a mudslide. The closure is just past the Carson River Resort.

That section of Highway 89 is isolated by the seasonal closure of both Monitor and Ebbetts passes, which along with Sonora Pass are being assessed by CalTrans for their eventual reopening.

“Due to the critical nature these routes have on the local economy of the communities they serve, Caltrans is working toward opening Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass as expeditiously as possible to allow travelers access through the Sierra on these seasonal routes,” according to the department.

Ebbetts, Sonora and Tioga passes leading into Yosemite all closed Nov. 17-18, 2022, while Monitor closed Dec. 8, 2022.

“The process of opening passes in the spring includes more than just removing snow,” according to the department. “Winter conditions can cause damage to the roadway. Slide removal, pavement repair, tree maintenance, and ditch clearing are among the tasks that must be completed prior to reopening the highway.”

The latest Tioga Pass has reopened in the last five years was July 1, 2019. The passes typically reopen by Memorial Day, but with this winter’s heavy snow, that likely will be too early.

Survey crews have been assessing Highway 395 in Gardnerville in preparation for anticipated repaving between Waterloo Lane and First Street in Minden. That work will begin sometime in the next few months, according to the state.