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Bridge/tunnel collapses onto Lake Mary Road |
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Saturday, 11 October 2008 |
 Top: Tunnel collapse from Lakes Basin vantage, looking toward town. Bottom: Tunnel collapse, looking up at the Lakes Basin. MAMMOTH TIMES PHOTOS/SUSAN MORNING
The bridge that straddles Lake Mary Road near Juniper Springs Road collapsed into a mangled heap of rebar, rock, metal and cement at approximately 6:15 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10. A loader had been working on top of the bridge and apparently the structure, which was built many years ago, couldn't handle the weight of the machinery. Fortunately, no one was hurt. According to Ray Jarvis, Town Public Works Director, someone was driving the loader at the time, but was not injured.
According to Stuart Brown, Mammoth Lakes Community Relations Manager, a forensic engineer from Fresno will be flown into the area on Saturday to determine the cause of the collapse. The town hopes to have the road cleared by early next week.
“We have been fielding calls from concerned visitors,” Brown said. “We hope the new permanent bridge will be in place by the Thanksgiving holiday. That's the target opening date for Eagle Lodge.” Chair 15 out of Eagle Lodge rides over this bridge/tunnel on its way up Mammoth Mountain.
“Nobody quite knows who owns the tunnel but that is a lot less important than the fact that no one got hurt,” said Mammoth Mountain Ski Area CEO Rusty Gregory. “This could have been a huge tragedy. The mission now is to get the bridge rebuilt by Thanksgiving. We had a big meeting this morning and I am encouraged about the joint sense of urgency between the Town, Forest Service and other entities to get this handled by Thanksgiving weekend.”
As long as it's open and safe, motorists should access the Lakes Basin by using Old Mammoth Road. -SP
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 October 2008 )
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