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Chains Required On All Vehicles - R2 Conditions (Update 3)

By News Team
Friday, February 13, 2009

Update 3 - Friday, 9:30 p.m.

All mountain highways are at R2 conditions per Caltrans.

Highway 38 reopened at 8:50 p.m. following a closure due to hazardous road conditions.

Highway 189 is closed due to extremely icy conditions. Caltrans is en route with cinders.

From the ALERTS tab on RIMOFTHEWORLD.net regarding chain control:

View Alert

HIGHWAY 18

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HIGHWAY 38

View Alert

HIGHWAY 138

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HIGHWAY 173

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HIGHWAY 189

View Alert

HIGHWAY 330

Update 2 - Friday, 6:55 p.m.

Per Caltrans and CHP, Highway 18 at Upper Waterman Canyon Road has changed to R2 conditions. All other mountain roads remain at R3.

Highway 38 is closed between Big Bear and Valley of the Falls Drive. It is expected to reopen at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

Update - Friday, 5:40 p.m.

Mountain Communities – According to scanner transmissions, all mountain roads are under R3 chain requirements. Chains are required on all vehicles without exception.

SR330 near the upper passing lane during a 2006 snow storm. (Photo by Dave Henderson.)

Original story - Friday, 12:55 p.m.

Several roads in the mountains are under R-2 chain requirements.

Chains Required Sign (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The California Highway Patrol reports roadways may be icy and motorists are urged to drive with caution. A press release from the Sheriff's Department states, "When traveling to and in the mountains, always carry chains in your vehicles, including all four-wheel drives. Recent storms have created road conditions necessitating R3 chain control, which means all vehicles, including 4WD must chain up. Be advised it is imperative drivers find a safe place off the roadway surface to put on chains. Stopping in traffic lanes to chain up may subject the driver to citations for blocking the roadway."

There are three primary categories of chain restrictions, as shown below:

R-1 Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.

R-2 Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles under 6,500 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on all four wheels. Four wheel-drive vehicles using snow tires must carry chains for one set of drive wheels.

R-3 Chains are required on all vehicles without exception.

R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein.

State of California Department of Transportation (Photo by .)

State of California Department of Transportation (Photo by .)

Chain requirements are covered in the California Vehicle Code (CVC), Section 605 and Sections 27450 to 27503.