MADERA COUNTY – Highway 41 between Road 200 and Highway 145 will remain closed throughout the night, and likely most of tomorrow as geologists work to assess the situation at the Rocky Cut.
The road was shut down late Wednesday afternoon after about 10 cubic yards of rock slid into the northbound lane.
Caltrans spokesperson Elizabeth Yelton acknowledged the inconvenience, but says that their main concern is public safety.
“We encourage everyone to please be patient and leave extra time when traveling between the Valley and the mountain area,” said Yelton.
Geologists are assessing the stability of the steep rock walls along the roadway to determine what work will be needed to ensure the safety of the public.
“The untrained eye would not be able to determine whether the slope is stable,” said Caltrans Maintenance Area Supervisor Tim McClurg, who has worked on this section of highway for 30 years. “It’s hard to tell what needs to be done just by looking at the fractures in the rock.”
Caltrans has set up a detour around the area.
We will update as soon as conditions change.
