Highway full closure near Emerald Bay lifted, expect one-way traffic delays

For the past two workweeks, Highway 89 has been closed 24 hours per day so crews could do grinding and paving work in the tight section of highway south of the Cascade Creek Bridge to Bayview Campground and Inspiration Point.

On Monday, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the closure has been lifted.

The work is part of the $13 million Highway 89 Emerald Bay water quality improvement project from Cascade Road to Upper Emerald Bay Road. Beginning Monday, work will continue throughout the project limits under daytime one-way traffic control at various locations.

Project completion is expected later this fall, but weather or unexpected events could extend the work into next season.

"Caltrans appreciates the traveling public’s patience the past two weeks during the closure," said Steve Nelson of Caltrans in a press release.