Ventura County – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) advises State Route 33 (SR-33) remains closed through the Labor Day holiday weekend from Matilija Hot Springs Road to the Ozena Fire Station (just south of Lockwood Valley Road) in Los Padres National Forest as we continue to repair extensive storm damage from the winter of 2022/2023.
The closure has been in place since January 10, 2023. Approximately 32 miles of highway is expected to remain closed at least until Thanksgiving weekend. This section of SR-33 experienced extensive mudslides, rockslides, erosion and sections of collapsed roadway during the winter of 2022/2023. Additional minor slides occurred during the storms related to Hurricane Hilary.
Repairs to the washed out roadway at post mile 18.5 are nearing completion and repairs to the embankment at post mile 18.35 continue. Slope reconstruction with horizontal wattles (sand bags for erosion control) is underway at post mile 24.85. At least five retaining walls (set with steel piles) will be constructed along the highway. Workers are gathering seeds from native vegetation and replanting them along damaged slopes to restore natural erosion control.
Most of the damaged guardrail along the highway has been replaced. At post mile 14.35 the highway is under one-way alternating traffic control with a solar powered signal. Repairs to the undermined roadway there will require relocation of utilities and slope reconstruction.
The estimated total construction cost is $35 million. Please avoid the closed area of SR-33 to allow workers to complete repairs safely.
Watch for updates on “X” at https://twitter.com/CaltransDist7 and for road closure updates at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ .
