Angeles Crest Highway may reopen this fall

I drove up to Islip Saddle a couple of weekends ago to go hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains and was surprised to see that Angeles Crest Highway (also known as Highway 2) was closed from that point going north. The road is usually closed at the saddle during the winter months because of snow and rock slides, but not this early in the year.

Surprise, surprise -- I called Caltrans last week and discovered that the five-mile stretch of highway north of the saddle has been closed since the winter of 2004-05, when it was damaged by heavy storms. The road was damaged again in March 2006 and when a thunderstorm hit this past July. That has meant no getting through to Wrightwood from the south.

Bottom line is that about $12 million of work has been done fixing culverts, reworking pavement and rebuilding a bridge. Dave White, a Caltrans spokesman, said that if work keeps going at its current pace, the Angeles Crest could reopen by Thanksgiving. If not, it will be closed as usual for the winter and then open in spring of 2009.

The two-lane road is twisty as it cuts across the mountains, and there are some very steep cliffs and embankments along the way. Most of the highway is within the Angeles National Forest and the area around the closed section includes some of the San Gabe's highest peaks, including Baden-Powell and Hawkins. But some commuters from the Wrightwood area have historically used the highway as a shortcut across the San Gabes instead of having to drive all the way around the range on either the Antelope Valley Freeway or the 15-210 Freeway combo.

I'm curious to know whether area residents want the road reopened, or do you believe that because it's closed seasonally anyway, maybe there's some better, higher purpose by keeping it shut year round?

-- Steve Hymon

Photo: Steve Hymon / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jeff]

Keep it closed. Much less tourist traffic is the result = far safer conditions on Highway 2.

[darrin spang]

Steve, trust me this is one Wrightwood resident that wants the road re-opened.
Tremendous amounts of money, time and talent were expended over a long time to build this road, and it should not be abandoned.
This road is one of the treasures of Los Angeles. People should have an opportunity to see the amazing San Gabriel mountain range, from within it. It is truly amazing.
A few weeks ago, I ventured down the road and saw they are getting ready to install a huge new bridge, so this is great news.
Keep up the good work!

[Jose]

It's just a great piece of road. Should be open just to allow some de-stressing from time to time.

Steve, can you check and see what the status of reopening highway 39 to the 2 is? I know there was discussion a few years back, but haven't heard anything lately or been up that way.

[KateNonymous]

I'm surprised this is a surprise, since it's hardly been a secret. Those of us who have been driving up there (and the roads have been packed every time I've gone up) certainly knew about it, even if we aren't all likely to use that road for our commute. It's a great area for hiking and winter sports, even if you can't get to Wrightwood--and it's extremely popular with cyclists.