A stretch of Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains will remain closed for an unknown period after the Christmas week storm severely damaged the roadway, officials said on Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The thoroughfare, also known as Highway 2, saw a significant amount of destruction in at least four locations, Caltrans said on X. The closure extends from Cedar Springs, about 3.3 miles east of Newcomb’s Ranch, to Highway 138.
Sections of the highway buckled and broken apart, with large chunks of pavement collapsed or split across the roadway. Other portions of the highway were washed out by the storm.
Mike Leum, an assistant director with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, said that storm runoff likely undermined portions of the highway. He warned of hazardous icy conditions, noting that a fire engine spun out on large patches of ice and became stuck before it was later towed.
Leum said it would be awhile until the road is repaired. It was not clear how long that would take.
Once the storm expected on New Year’s Day passes, crews will assess for new damage before starting cleanup and repairs, said Eric Menjivar, a spokesperson for Caltrans.
“Hopefully it doesn’t do anymore additional damage,” he said.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of Los Angeles County ahead of the rain expected this week.
