Hwy 330 is scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend! This main route into Big Bear has been closed since December 22, 2010 when it collapsed because of massive rains washing out three major sections of the road. These photos really show the extent of the damage.
Initially we were told it could take two years to fix the 6 million dollar plus problem. Since then, emergency repairs have allowed the road to be open for approximately four hours daily for commuter traffic only, but now it will be open to public for a limited time.
The highway is scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to re-open the highway beginning at 6 a.m. May 27 until 11:59 p.m. on May 30. At that time it will close again while they complete the remaining repairs.
There are technically three roads into Big Bear; however at one point during the winter there was only one way in and out, further restricting traffic. HWY 330 is traditionally the most favored route into Big Bear Valley. The highway is considered the ‘front’ way into the mountains and most of us locals know it like the back of our hand. It is a much quicker route for commuters, mountain guests, hikers, delivery trucks and anyone else trying to get on and off of the mountain.
Big Bear business owners and residents are extremely appreciative of Caltrans’ diligent work to ensure that the road will be open for this weekend’s vacationers. The highway closure has been an extreme handicap for both locals and mountain guests. Businesses on the east end of Big Bear have suffered financially because of the lack of travel on this road, so we’ll be happy to see the traffic increase once again. We understand that the road will open permanently sometime in July 2011.
How has the road closure affected your travel? Comment here, or take some pictures of the new road on your way up this weekend and share them with us on Facebook.
Laura
Big Bear Frontier Vacation Blog 
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