This past Thursday, Del Norte awakened to learn a major, active rock and mudslide had closed Highwy 199, midway between Gasquet and Hiouchi.
Fearless and tireless, Cal Trans workers labored for the next 36 hours opening the vital artery connecting, Crescent City to Grants Pass and InterState 5.
The CHP and Cal Trans escorted one-way traffic along the Redwood Highway.
Thursday morning about 11, traffic suddenly came to a grinding halt, unbeknownst to motorists. A Huge tree collapsed about six miles East of Hiouchi, completely blocking the Highway.
Cal Trans responded expediently with a not-to-be-reckoned with truck / and bulldozer attachment. Within 45 minutes, Cal Trans broke up and removed the arbor obstruction.
The CHP and Del Norte deputies were on hand to assist.
One may remember on March 25, 2021, when a Siskiyou County couple, Jake and Jessica Woodruff, were killed when a giant Redwood fell atop their moving vehicle on 199 at Walker Rd.
Thankfully, there have been no injuries in this latest development.
Hat’s off to all Del Norte First Responders and a special Thank You to California Department of Transportation, District 1 staff for their heroic work under inclement/ rainy conditions, benefiting the motoring public.