MADERA (KMJ) — A section of Highway 41 between Highway 145 and North Fork Road has reopened, following a rock slide there earlier this week.
Both directions were shut down after what Caltrans described as approximately 10 cubic yards of rock, or a dump truck full, crashed down onto the road near Rocky Cut Road. State officials announced the road was open again Friday afternoon.
The temporary closure comes approximately three years after a far larger rock fall in the same area.
“Based upon the history of the area, it was made as a safety concern decision to completely shut down the roadway,” explained Caltrans’ Elizabeth Yelton.
EAST MADERA COUNTY: State Route 41 at Rocky Cut is now open! Thank you for your patience while our crews worked in the area. pic.twitter.com/DTazpQKdjp
— Caltrans District 6 (@CaltransDist6) March 8, 2019
The cause of the rock fall has been put down to the way rainwater flows down the hillsides next to Highway 41.
“The water is not going into the entire slope. It’s coming down at about a 45-degree-angle,” said Maintenance Superintendent Tim McClurg.
“We have the loose material on top of that hard material, with water, right now. So as the rains hit it only becomes worse.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
