Highway 190 closed through weekend

Caused by a mudslide Thursday night near Wishon Dr.

For the second time in a little over a week, Highway 190 between Springville and Camp Nelson is closed in the area affected by the Pier Fire due to mudslides caused by heavy rain.

But unlike last week’s closure, which lasted only 12 hours, the most recent series of storms will keep the highway out of commission for the entire weekend.

“It’s a bigger mudslide than last week’s, so there’s a lot more for maintenance crews to work through this time,” said Christian Lukens, acting chief of public information and legislative affairs for Caltrans District 6. “It’s more of the same, but on a bigger scale. Maintenance crews will be working on it all weekend, and they hope to have it back open by Monday.”

At around 5:40 p.m. Thursday night, Caltrans closed the 6-mile stretch of highway between Wishon Drive and Mccomber Drive. Lukens added that during the initial hours of the closure crews were working with local residents to get them to and from their homes, but didn’t know if that practice would apply throughout the weekend.

CHP Public Information Officer Marc Mcwilliams was told that once the full crews arrive to fix the roadway the highway will be completely closed, and all traffic wishing to access the area above the closure will have to use the Western Divide Highway (M107) via California Hot Springs.

That highway is currently clear and open, and the Tulare County Roads Department will keep it that way for the duration of the Highway 190 closure.