State Route 150 Landslide Recovery Plan
Overview
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and emergency contractors are working as quickly as possible to stabilize and clear a large landslide that closed State Route 150 north of Santa Paula in Ventura County in February 2024. Caltrans also is actively working for solutions on temporary steps to address local needs during the emergency project.
Caltrans anticipates one lane on this section of Route 150 could open to traffic by the end of May 2024, but that is only a target date and subject to change due to weather and other conditions beyond the control of Caltrans.
Project Impact
The slide occurred during powerful storms that saturated the region. Slide debris covers more than 150 feet of the two-lane highway. This part of Route 150 is used by more than 3,200 vehicles a day, on average.
No roads are available nearby to serve as a local detour in the rural area. A detour for motorists is available through the cities of Ventura and Ojai using State Route 126, U.S. Highway 101, and State Route 33.
Through traffic on Route 150 is blocked between Stonegate Road in Santa Paula, south of the slide, and Mupu Road at Steckel Park, north of the slide. Limited local access is allowed in the closed area.
The large, unstable landslide, which took place on February 21, 2024, is located just north of the city of Santa Paula at Bridge Road (postmile 31.4), about three miles north of State Route 126.
Caltrans is actively working on a fast-track schedule to determine the safest and fastest way to stabilize the slide, remove the material from the road and reopen State Route 150 as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as of March 19, 2024
Landslide on State Route 150 - “Not your typical slide”
Question: “Why isn’t Caltrans removing the slide now?”
Answer: Recent powerful rainstorms saturating the hillside appear to be the primary cause of the landslide. Water can be seen seeping out of the hillside and ponding within the slide, ponding which Caltrans is pumping to remove. Caltrans is very concerned regarding further landslide activity (within the active zone and adjacent hillsides) if debris is removed from the road.
Working on a swift timetable, Caltrans has already developed preliminary geotechnical recommendations and design for a retaining wall to stabilize the area. Because of the sensitive geologic nature of the site, the design must be precise to ensure the safety of the area.
The final geotechnical recommendations are pending the laboratory testing of core samples that were obtained by drilling at five locations, completed on March 11, 2024. The lab tests have been submitted to three different laboratories for accelerated testing since there is limited testing equipment available at each laboratory. Slope analysis and geotechnical recommendations are being expedited due to the high priority to reopen State Route 150 as soon as possible.
Caltrans engineers will refine their model within two days of receiving the laboratory test results to provide the necessary geotechnical recommendations and retaining wall plans. In addition, the laboratory test results will also be used to analyze whether more than one retaining wall is necessary. If a second wall is required, it will not impact the opening of State Route 150 since it would be constructed up slope.
Q: “Isn’t it a simple job to push the material off the road?”
A: The hillside consists of multiple nested slides, which have moved in the past leaving exposed visible exposed scarps. The slide movement in February deposited slide debris on State Route 150, debris which is currently acting as a temporary buttress to support the material uphill, both vertically and laterally. More slides could occur if material is removed from Route 150. Caltrans is closely monitoring the active slide and the adjacent areas for additional slope movement.
Q: “Why isn’t Caltrans moving faster to start this process?”
A: Actually, Caltrans started this complex investigation process immediately after the slide occurred. Caltrans secured the area and monitored the slide for further movement, and Caltrans continues monitoring it closely. Caltrans immediately developed a plan of action for reopening Route 150 as quickly as possible. Caltrans informed motorists, the community, local leaders, elected officials and others regarding this emergency and what’s ahead, with close coordination among agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to respond to the community’s needs. Also, Caltrans immediately started the geotechnical investigation of the slide area. Caltrans quickly arranged an emergency contractor to provide additional equipment and workers. Caltrans assembled teams of experts in design, construction, and emergency operations for an all-hands-on-deck, expedited response to this event.
Q: “Why can’t Caltrans complete this process in a week or two?”
A: Safety is the top priority of Caltrans. Caltrans is committed to opening State Route 150 as soon as it can be accomplished safely. In the meantime, Caltrans has been working intensively to find short-term solutions to meet local transportation needs, such as a pedestrian path, a local bypass route for vehicles, and a shuttle bus service to transport students, workers, and others around the slide. The start of free shuttle bus service was announced March 18 by the Ventura County Transportation Commission in cooperation with Caltrans.
Caltrans has also been working intensively to find long-term solutions which includes the construction of a retaining wall that will consist of purchasing and installing heavy beams (lengths to be determined) needed to support the retaining wall. There may be lead time for procurement of these heavy beams as they may not be commercially available and may need to be manufactured.
The estimated length of the retaining wall needed to support this slide at this time is estimated to be up to 360 feet in length with a height of 40 to 50 feet. Multiple rows of ground anchors extending up to 200 feet in length will be constructed through the face of the wall and extend through the slide plane for anchoring the wall. The face of the wall will be buried up to a certain depth which is still to be determined. Considerations, monitoring and analysis will be performed by Caltrans engineers and geologists to determine whether State Route 150 can be opened during partial construction of the retaining wall.
Q: “Why hasn’t Caltrans built a pedestrian path around the slide?”
A: After exhaustive in-depth investigations of all possible options, the narrow strip of privately-owned property on State Route 150 near the slide is unacceptable for a pedestrian path for safety reasons because it’s too close to the slide, which is still moving. Farther from the slide, any path would be on private property. Caltrans has made an intensive, full-scale effort to explore and support such a solution, and Caltrans is committed to cooperating and assisting in every way if there is an agreement for a path on private property.
Q: “There are issues on elsewhere on State Route 150 near Dennison Grade where material has come down a slope, and near Thomas Aquinas College due to a slip-out. Is it safe to drive near those locations? What is being done about those issues?”
A: It is safe for motorists to drive these sections of State Route 150. Caltrans crews are closely monitoring Dennison Grade and removing any materials that can pose a hazard to motorists and cyclists. There are already discussions for repairs at the slip-out about one-fourth of a mile south of Thomas Aquinas College.
Q: “Residents are concerned about potential wildfires and evacuation routes in case of an emergency. What will be done about this?”
A: Caltrans is confident that the road will be open well before fire season and is coordinating the status of repairs with partner agencies such as the Ventura County Fire Department. In case of any emergency, Caltrans recommends having a plan in place if any evacuation is needed and to follow any orders from public safety personnel for the region.
Q: “Are there any issues with funding for this emergency project?”
A: There are no issues with funding for the slide removal and the repairs that will be necessary to reopen State Route 150.
Q: “How can I be informed of updates for the reopening of State Route 150?”
A: You can e-mail the Public Information Officer for this project at Michael.Comeaux@dot.ca.gov or D7inquiries@dot.ca.gov or call (213) 897-9372.
Q: “Who is the contractor for this emergency project?”
A: The contractor is R&R Demo and Grading Corp. of Woodland Hills (Los Angeles), California.
Q: “How can I get my mail delivered?”
A: Caltrans has met with federal elected representatives to discuss how the U.S. Post Office can adjust mail delivery for residents and businesses in the area so service can be uninterrupted.
News Information
Here is the most recent news release Caltrans issued concerning this emergency project:
Caltrans to Hold Community Meeting in Upper Ojai on March 14 About State Route 150 Mudslide
Caltrans and Ventura County Update the Public During Highway Closure
Ventura County — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a third community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 14, to continue informing the public about actions being taken after a large mudslide closed State Route 150 north of Santa Paula.
Caltrans and emergency contractors are working quickly to stabilize and remove the slide and reopen the highway, while options for public transportation are being explored including a proposed shuttle that would provide access for students, farmworkers, and others.
Caltrans will provide an update during an in-person community meeting at Thomas Aquinas College hosted by Ventura County District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere in partnership with District 3 Supervisor Kelly Long.
The meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at St. Cecilia Hall at Thomas Aquinas College, 10000 Ojai Road, Santa Paula, CA 93060. Traffic will be guided to parking. Signs will point the way to the meeting room.
Access to the college is only possible from the west through Ojai on State Route 150 due to the mudslide blocking both lanes of SR-150 south of the campus.
The meeting will be broadcast online at VCEmergency.com
At the slide, Caltrans is working on a fast track to open at least one lane of traffic by the end of May but that is only a target date and subject to change due to weather and other conditions beyond the control of Caltrans. In the meantime, Caltrans is working aggressively to explore short-term options to address the needs of pedestrians and others in the community.
The slide began during powerful February storms that saturated the region. Mud covers more than 150 feet of the two-lane highway north of Santa Paula at Bridge Road. This part of Route 150 is used by more than 3,200 vehicles a day, on average.
No roads are available nearby to serve as a local detour for pedestrians or vehicles. A detour for motorists is available through the cities of Ventura and Ojai using State Route 126, U.S. Highway 101, and State Route 33.
Due to the slide, through traffic on Route 150 is blocked between Stonegate Road in Santa Paula, south of the slide, and Mupu Road at Steckel Park, north of the slide. Limited local access is allowed in the closed area.
Geotechnical experts are testing and investigating the slide to recommend a plan to remove it as safely and as soon as possible. At the same time, Caltrans and contractors are working to determine the most efficient and prompt methods for the removal operation and the mitigation strategies for roadway reconstruction which will follow.
The March 14 community meeting follows two previous meetings held on March 4 and March 6.
Caltrans will issue updates on the social-media platform X, formerly Twitter, at @CaltransDist7. Travelers may check current road closures anytime by using Caltrans’ QuickMap service at Quickmap.dot.ca.gov or the free app for digital devices.
Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
Contact Us
Caltrans Public Affairs(213)897-3656
dot.ca.gov
d7inquiries@dot.ca.gov