BISHOP — Around-the-clock one-way traffic control is no longer in effect for State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park. Traffic control measures had been in place since October 15 between the park's western entrance and Panamint Springs to accommodate repairs to 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. As pictured to the left, 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 one-way traffic control when work is happening.
Elsewhere in District 9, 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. 395 along Topaz Lake. In eastern Kern County, both Boron Safety Roadside Rest Areas have reopened after new pumps were installed .
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