Nearly 5 miles of Highway 330 that leads to the resort community of Big Bear is closed until December.
The closure, which began Sept. 24, is the result of September’s 20,000-acre Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which damaged guardrails designed to prevent cars from crossing the ledge.
Highway 330, which is the most traveled route to Big Bear Lake and is accessible from Highway 210 in Highland, will remain completely closed in both directions from Highland Avenue in Highland to Live Oak Drive. which isnear Running Springs in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County, Caltrans said in a news release.
Edgar Angulo places a safety sticker on a guardrail Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, along nearly 5 miles of Highway 330 that are closed due to fire damage on the line near Running Springs. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control installs new guardrails along Highway 330, seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The area was damaged by the Line Fire near Running Springs in the San Bernardino National Forest. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control worker Michael Contreras installs new guardrails Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, along Highway 330 that was damaged by the line fire near Running Springs. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control worker Michael Contreras carries a new guardrail Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, as he installs them on Highway 330, which was damaged by the line fire near Running Springs in the San Bernardino National Forest. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A section of Highway 330 in San Bernardino County, seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, is closed as workers install guardrails after the originals were damaged by a fire on the line near Running Springs. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
New guardrails, seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, have been installed along Interstate 330 after it was damaged by a fire on the line near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control worker Edgar Angulo uses his fingers to guide his colleague Michael Contreras to erect a support as they install new guardrails Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, on Highway 330 near Running Springs. They were damaged by the line fire. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Mantinella is seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, on Highway 330. New ones are being installed after they were damaged by a fire on the line in September. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control installs new guardrails, seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, along Highway 330 after they were damaged by the line fire near Running Springs in the San Bernardino National Forest. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Workers install new guardrails Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, along Highway 330 near Running Springs after they were damaged by the line fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
New guardrails, seen Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, have been installed along Interstate 330 after it was damaged by a fire on the line near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Maneri Traffic Control workers, from left, Michael Contreras, Matthew Sanchez and Miles Palomino, install new guardrails on Highway 330 Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, after they were damaged by a fire on the line near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Edgar Angulo places a safety sticker on a guardrail Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, along nearly 5 miles of Highway 330 that are closed due to fire damage on the line near Running Springs. (Photo by Terry Pearson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Expansion
On Sept. 21, contractors began repairing 4.8 miles of damaged guardrails, reconstructing burned pavement and signs, removing rocks and debris, and replacing drainage systems.
The $9.8 million emergency project is expected to be completed in early December, with the road opening the week of Dec. 9, Caltrans said in a news release.
“Crews have made significant strides in completing safety repairs,” Caltrans spokesman Eric Dion said.
He added that when the lane first opens, it will be one-way only. Officials don’t know how long that arrangement will last, Dion said.
Big Bear Lake City officials are advising those traveling from the south to use Highway 38 from Redlands and those coming from the north to take Highway 18 from Luzerne Valley to reach the area.
Although 330 remains closed until crews determine it is safe, businesses are not affected, officials said.
“It hasn’t affected Big Bear Lake tourism,” said Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear. “More than anything, it’s just a bit of an inconvenience for visitors who are used to traveling up and down the mountain using this route.”
Parts of the 18 are slightly congested because of the 330 closure, said Leslie Padilla, office assistant with the California Highway Patrol.
December through March are typically the busiest months for tourists to visit Big Bear, Scott said.
“Now when we see snow, then we’ll see that impact grow,” he said.
“As a tourist town, even though we have this road closure, we are open as a community and welcome guests back with open arms,” Scott said.
By james art 
“Crews have made significant strides in completing safety repairs,” Caltrans spokesman Eric Dion said.