Snowslide blocks Highway 89 at Emerald Bay
Updated as of 9:10am
Highway 89 remained closed Saturday due to a snowslide 10 feet high and 60 feet wide that covered the major thoroughfare at Emerald Bay, California Highway Patrol reported.
The mound of snow was reported to have fallen onto the road between Vikingsholm and Inspiration Point just south of Eagle Falls Friday afternoon, leaving one area motorist’s vehicle traveling southbound buried in the snow on the right side of her vehicle and a clear reminder of this winter’s avalanche danger. The Markleeville resident escaped on the driver’s side.
CHP Sgt. Dan Lopez said Caltrans has cleared the road but will be evaluating the stability of the area before the road is reopened.
“They just don’t want another one to happen,” Lopez said.
Motorists are advised to take the East Shore alternative on Highway 28 around Lake Tahoe.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Why is 89 still closed? It was originally closed a couple extra days last week because they were doing avalanche control. and yet there was still an avalanche! Now it was cleared days ago, but it’s still closed?
Doesn’t Caltrans understand that many tourists come Tahoe to check out Emerald Bay? Especially on a beautiful weekend like this one! And ski resorts have been able to handle the avalanche dangers at their resorts in a much quicker timeframe!!