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Caltrans updates SR‑38 emergency repairs; Big Bear businesses press for coordinated winter traffic plan
Summary
Caltrans District 8 told the Big Bear Lake City Council the SR‑38 emergency repairs are progressing but weather and storm risk make a reopening date uncertain; local tourism and business groups asked the city to press for a coordinated winter traffic plan, staging and clearer public updates to protect the winter economy.
Caltrans District 8 officials briefed the City of Big Bear Lake on Nov. 12 on multiple mountain projects and said crews are making steady progress on emergency repairs to State Route 38 but cannot promise a reopening date.
Jazz Hemphall, Caltrans Public Information Officer, described the district's corridor management system (CMS) project covering 18 locations with 20 CMS placements and said the work is about 45% complete, with CIDH piles installed at all locations and electrical work in progress. Horace Corey, Caltrans legislative liaison, gave a separate update on the SR‑38 emergency project, saying crews installed two 72‑foot culverts and rebuilt embankments at washout sites but warned that upcoming storms make forecasts uncertain. Corey disputed contractor social‑media claims that the roadway would reopen before Thanksgiving, calling those reports “absolutely false.” He urged residents to scan the project QR code for weekly updates.
Local business groups said the uncertainty creates urgent operational and economic risks. Travis Scott of Visit Big Bear told the council that closure of SR‑38 will concentrate traffic on Highways 18 and 330, and called for a coordinated winter traffic plan involving Caltrans, CHP, San Bernardino County, Big Bear Mountain Resorts and the city. Scott asked for pre‑staged personnel and equipment, contingency routing for residents and emergency access, and frequent public updates to protect visitor trust and local businesses that rely on winter weekends.
Evan Engle of the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce and Wade Reeser of Big Bear Mountain Resorts echoed those concerns, asking for more information about traffic control, signage and staged resources on the valley's principal routes. Councilmembers pressed Caltrans to expand pre‑engagement with the city so councilmembers can act as local conduits for information and community feedback; Caltrans said it is improving outreach and will return with more efficient engagement processes. Caltrans also outlined holiday moratorium windows (Nov. 26–Dec. 1, Dec. 24–29, and Dec. 31–Jan. 5) during which lane closures are restricted except for emergency work.
The presentation and public comment period closed with council direction to staff to pursue closer coordination with Caltrans and regional partners and to request more detail about winter plans for Highway 330 specifically. Caltrans reiterated its weekly newsletter and digital tools for live traffic and plow updates as the season begins.
