The Caltrans post came like a victory announcement: After weeks of closures, state highways running through isolated, snowed-in communities of the San Bernardino Mountains would finally reopen at 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 11.
Workers in snowplows had finally cleared most major routes — photos of highways showed asphalt clean of ice and snow, surely a sight that would give some living in these hard-hit mountain areas relief.
“At this time, all mountain routes will reopen, to all,” officials wrote. That meant, except for some areas where limited closures would remain, highways 18, 138, and 330 would reopen Saturday night.
Still, California’s state transportation agency warned anyone driving into the area from out of town that the recovery process was still very much underway.
“Nonresidents, please be aware that the community is still recovering. Be respectful, slow down, and do not park on the roadways blocking essential personnel trying to render help,” Caltrans wrote. “Please bring chains with you, as weather conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared for long traffic queues, as you could be waiting for some time.”
Then the comments flooded in.
Hundreds of local residents took to the Caltrans Facebook post to criticize the reopening of routes to their towns, which they said were still under siege from piled-up snow.
“Way to make it clear that you have no idea the reality of what is happening up here,” said one local.
“Terrible idea!!” said another. “People are still trapped in their homes, structures are still collapsing, there is no parking, we’re down to one grocery store. We still have way too much snow. This is not the time to come play.”
They said access to critical supplies was still difficult — winding, one-way roads hemmed in by walls of snow meant just driving through their communities for routine tasks was still enormously treacherous. Numerous residents whose cars were still trapped under feet of snow have been…
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