Shaver Lake nearly cut off as more rockslides close second road in Fresno County

Fresno County officials late Monday announced that erosion on Auberry Road was forcing closure of the roadway, further isolating Shaver Lake and other mountains communities from the central San Joaquin Valley.

Four-lane Highway 168 was blocked Saturday at the 2,500-foot level by a rock slide. The Auberry route was the main passage to the valley floor before officials announced Monday about 3 p.m. that major road repairs were needed on the secondary road. CalTrans officials had already reported earlier in the day that the reopening date of 168 was undetermined, due to continued rock slides caused by rainfall.

The leaves the somewhat precarious connection between the Sierra and the valley via Tollhouse Road, a winding, narrow two-lane road. County officials said maintenance trucks are using Tollhouse 24 hours a day to keep the road open, and urged everyone else to stay off the road unless such travel was “absolutely necessary.”

Officials said county public works officials will monitor the closure of Auberry Road throughout the night and “work with a contractor to reopen the road as quickly as possible.”

This story was originally published January 2, 2023 at 3:27 PM.