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Though locals aren’t happy with longer closures at Last Chance Grade, the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce is hoping they will encourage visitors to explore the activities and attractions the area has to offer.

Caltrans staff are passing out fliers to motorists in line with information about the new longer closures, which start next week, said Cindy Vosburg, the chamber’s executive director. On the flip side of that flier is a list of activities people can do if they find themselves on the Klamath side or the Crescent City side.

This includes visiting Klamath’s Tour-Thru Redwood Tree, taking a redwood canoe tour or traversing the Skytrail at Trees of Mystery. Listed attractions on the Crescent City side include visiting Battery Point Lighthouse or Ocean World, going to the beach or rafting and paddling the Smith River.

There’s also information about local restaurants and links to details about more attractions and places to stay.

Vosburg acknowledged that this is more geared toward people traveling through the area rather than local residents. But, she said, the information will still be helpful.

“We’re talking to them as they come through the visitors center and the hard part has been helping motorists to know when to get in line,” Vosburg said. “The line is so long, (people) can’t get through it in just an hour, so by having it open for three hours, it gives everybody plenty of time and they can plan a trip accordingly that way.”

Starting Tuesday, U.S. 101 at Last Chance Grade south of Crescent City will be closed to motorists from 8 a.m.-noon and from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. From noon-3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the road will be open with 30 minute delays.

On Fridays, U.S. 101 will be closed from 8 a.m.-noon. The highway will be open with 30 minute delays after noon, according to Caltrans District 1.

According to Caltrans, the new schedule is expected to “more than double” the rate at which crews are working and shorten the estimated completion date from November to August.

Over the holiday weekend, construction work will be suspended at Last Chance Grade, according to Caltrans. Motorists can still expect 30 minute delays and one-way traffic control, however.

Following the holiday, on July 7, Caltrans is hosting a virtual town hall meeting with Caltrans officials, according to an email from District 5 Supervisor Bob Berkowitz. Those attending include Caltrans transportation engineer, Jaime Matteoli, project manager Sebastian Cohen and Richard Millen, Caltrans District 1 deputy director of programs.

To attend the meeting, click here.

“It is being held by Zoom because this project affects everyone in our county,” Berkowitz said Thursday. “Zoom is also being set up at the Klamath Community Hall for those who don’t have internet in the Klamath area.”

The Klamath Community Center is at 219 Salmon Ave. in Klamath.

Though Caltrans’ schedule change was meant to speed up the project, putting an early end to long closures on U.S. 101, residents living in Klamath and working, attending school or going to medical appointments in Crescent City still said they were experiencing hardships.

“It takes me an hour and a half during those opening times consistently the past three weeks,” Klamath Glen resident Chrystal Helton posted on Facebook. “It’s like the county expects us to move all of our shopping, medical and employment, etc. etc. south, and that’s just ridiculous.”

Klamath residents’ complaints have reached county supervisors’ ears, prompting the town hall meeting next week.

According to Caltrans, in addition to allowing emergency vehicles and ambulances to get through the closure, the California Highway Patrol will be on site. Portable restrooms will also be available on both sides of the closure for motorists.

Vosburg noted that though it’s not an ideal situation, everyone wants to see the project finished.

“If they can finish this in seven or eight weeks and be done with that emergency emergency repairs, I’m all in it, that’s for sure,” she said.

Motorists have experienced two-hour delays weekdays on U.S. 101 south of Crescent City since rain brought a new landslide down onto road Feb. 13. Caltrans cleared the debris and reopened U.S. 101 to one-way traffic only to close it about three days later when slide activity resumed.

The road reopened during the day Feb. 22, but was shut down at night so heavy equipment could be brought into the area. The closure at Last Chance Grade prompted the Board of Supervisors to declare a state of emergency Feb. 23.

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