Assemblyman Cook to Host Town Hall Meeting in Running Springs to Discuss Highway 330

1/28/2011

SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Paul Cook (R- Yucca Valley) will host a town hall meeting with mountain residents to discuss the recent collapse of portions of State Route 330. Several large sections of road collapsed over the holiday season following heavy storms in the region. Representatives from Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, and the US Forest Service will also attend the meeting. It will be held at the Hootman Community Center located at 2929 Running Springs School Road in Running Springs at 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 3.

The largest collapse occurred near Running Springs, removing a portion of the hill and taking a section of State Route 330 with it. The collapse caused the shutdown of the highway for what will likely be at least the remainder of the winter. There is worry that other sections of the highway may be unstable as well.

On January 7, Cook met with Caltrans District 8 Director Ray Wolfe and other emergency officials, before going on a site tour to survey the damage and ensure public safety. The first $6 million contract to begin roadway repairs was signed by Caltrans several hours after Cook's visit.

On January 14, Cook met with local officials and community leaders from Big Bear and Running Springs to discuss the ongoing repair effort as well as ways to mitigate the economic damage to the mountain communities. Cook vowed to push for quick action and to facilitate cooperation from the federal government. On January 26, President Obama declared a major disaster area in San Bernardino county, which will make federal disaster aid available for State Route 330.

"While I've met with state and local officials, it's essential that I speak directly with local residents," Cook declared. "I want to do everything in my power to not only expedite the repairs of Highway 330, but assist my constituents who have been affected by this disaster. Specifically, we need to work on better signage to get visitors up to the mountain communities and on providing relief for local business owners."
John Sobel 916-319-2065