Caltrans photos of slide conditions in December.

Caltrans has reopened Highway 101 to two-way traffic just north of Piercy this afternoon due to a downed tree that’s fallen into power lines on Highway 271.

Caltrans Public information officer Phil Frisbie Jr. told the Outpost that a concrete k-rail and rock fence have been set up along Highway 101 through the area, where a slide previously shut down the roadway on December 10. However, the highway was closed again this afternoon when a contractor noticed several trees that were at risk of falling into the roadway.

“What’s happening is we reopened the 101 to one lane in each direction, but a contractor noticed this morning there was potential for trees coming down sometime today with mud and rock,” Frisbie Jr. said. “There were concerns that some of those might make it past the barriers.”

As a result, traffic was briefly rerouted back to Highway 271. But because of the downed tree on Highway 271, Caltrans has been forced to reopen Highway 101.

“We can not do anything until PG&E turns off the power,” Frisbie Jr. said. “Traffic is temporarily being allowed to flow on 101 in the meantime, because of a long PG&E response.”

Traffic will be diverted back to the 271 when the power lines are cleared, but Caltrans has no estimate as to when that might be. In the meantime, keep an eye out for any falling trees in that area.