With the expected heavy winter coming, Caltrans is going to be working hard during the next couple weeks to make sure that the roads coming up the mountain are ready for not only the rough weather ahead, but also the heavy flow of traffic that is expected to hit the highway this winter. Starting this week and going through October 29th, Caltrans is working from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to complete their annual routine maintenance on the Arctic Circle, on Highway 18. The road will be completely closed during those times.
Some of the items that are being worked on are: Turnout clearance; guardrail maintenance, rock scaling, drain cleaning and painting recessed fog lines on the areas of the road that have been recently paved. Caltrans will be working hard to make the roads and surrounding areas as safe as possible for the winter season.
Plan ahead if you will be visiting Big Bear during the time that the Arctic Circle on Highway 18. There will be increased traffic on all of our highways, so please drive safe and be courteous to other drivers. If you will be driving up the mountain during the day Monday through Friday until October 29th, we recommend taking an alternate route:
If you are coming from Los Angeles: Take the 10 Freeway East to the University Exit. Make a left on University at the stop sign. Follow University to Lugonia and make a right. Follow Lugonia East and it will become Highway 38. At the top of the Mountain, take Big Bear Blvd. West (turn left).
If you are coming from the San Diego Area: Take the Interstate 15 North to the 10 Freeway East. From the 10 Freeway East to the University Exit. Make a left on University at the stop sign. Follow University to Lugonia and make a right. Follow Lugonia East and it will become Highway 38. At the top of the Mountain, take Big Bear Blvd. West (turn left).
If you are coming from the Victorville/Hesperia/Lucerne Valley Area: Follow Highway 18 into the Big Bear Valley. Make a left at Stanfield Cutoff and then make a right onto Big Bear Blvd. Stay on Big Bear Blvd. until you reach Pine Knot Avenue (traffic light) and make a left. Go to the top, through the stop sign.