QUOTE OF THE DAY

“the great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” the damage caused by Tropical Storm Hilary earlier this year.

After more than two months of repair work, the roadway through this area – known as Argus Grade – has been restored.

In addition to pavement repairs, the project contractors, Fisher Sand & Gravel Co., restored and restructured the hillside along parts of the highway.

At the recommendation of Geotechnical Engineers from the Caltrans Headquarters Division of Engineering Services, the contractors used benched construction to secure the steep hillside at two locations that were washed away by flash flooding.

Park staff reports that benched construction reshapes the hillside to look like stairs or stadium seating that is then covered with rock or dirt fill to stabilize the slope, allowing it to better withstand heavy loads and erosion from future weather events.

With this work complete, the focus shifts to State Route 190 outside of Death Valley National Park between Olancha and the junction of State Route 136. That portion of the highway will remain closed into next year. Additional repairs to State

Route 190 within Death Valley are also expected early next year, and drivers may encounter oneway traffic control when work is happening.

Elsewhere in District 9, which covers much of the region, including Inyo County, repairs have finished for two emergency projects that began earlier this year.

In northern Mono County, traffic control has been lifted following the completed realignment of U.S. Highway 395 along Topaz Lake. In eastern Kern County, both Boron Safety Roadside Rest

Areas have reopened after new pumps were installed.