Yosemite National Park Tioga Pass Entrance Station
Sierra Sun Times file photo
November 26, 2019 - STOCKTON – Caltrans is scheduled to close Ebbetts Pass/Route 4, Monitor Pass/Route 89 and Sonora Pass/Route 108 in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend due to a strong winter storm forecast for the Sierra Nevada.
Planned closures are as follows (subject to change depending on conditions):
• Ebbetts Pass/Route 4 (Alpine County) at 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
• Sonora Pass/Route 108 (Tuolumne, Mono and Alpine counties) at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
• Monitor Pass/Route 89 (Alpine and Mono counties) at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
No decision has been made at this time regarding the seasonal closure of these routes. Caltrans will assess the routes after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to determine the seasonal closure status.
Tioga Pass, a continuation of SR-120 within Yosemite National Park, remains closed at this time. Yosemite crews maintain all roads within the park.
Several factors influence the temporary closing and 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 by Caltrans leadership. For the safety of motorists and Caltrans crews, these passes will be continually assessed until the seasonal closure of each is decided.
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.
For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.
Source: Caltrans
