Caltrans release:

Caltrans District 1 and its contractors are working to stabilize and clear a large landslide that fully closed State Route (SR) 36 east of Swimmer’s Delight near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park on May 31. Barring unforeseen setbacks, this section of road is expected to remain closed for two more weeks as crews work to remove hazards and realign the roadway.

North Region Construction Area Manager Sebastian Cohen, “We understand the impacts a long-term closure has on residents and travelers, and we’re using all available resources to reopen the roadway.”

A group of Caltrans geotechnical professionals, engineering geologists and specialized contractors conducted an on-site field review Monday to assess remaining hazards. They determined the ground has dropped six or more feet in some places. “The terrain in this location is incredibly steep, and removing material from the slope could undermine the mountain further up and lead to additional material coming down,” Cohen said.

Over the next two weeks, crews will begin to remove hazardous trees and realign the roadway at the base of the slide to allow for the installation of additional catchment berms for rocks and other debris.
Next steps include hiring a contractor using helicopters with specialized LiDAR scanners to provide a more detailed contour map of the hillside and bringing in additional heavy equipment and helicopters to stabilize the hillside above the roadway.

“We want to ensure safe and reliable travel for people on Route 36, and we’re grateful for the community’s patience and understanding as we move forward,” Cohen said.

Route 299 is the only available detour in Humboldt County on the state highway system. Please follow District 1 social media and check https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or the QuickMap app for the latest road conditions.