Full, Weeklong Closure On SR-243 Begins Near Idyllwild

IDYLLWILD, CA — A stretch of state Route 243 north of Idyllwild is now shut down for a week starting while crews repair culverts alongside the mountain highway, and Caltrans advised commuters to plan ahead and avoid the area. The roadway is not slated to reopen until Dec. 14.

According to Caltrans District 8 spokeswoman Terri Kasinga, the work will be concentrated along a segment of 243 northwest of Lake Fulmor in the San Bernardino National Forest. The construction zone is roughly 10 miles south of Banning and 3 1/2 miles north of Idyllwild.

Kasinga said storm culverts need to be repaired and replaced on each side of the highway.

The Lake Fulmor segment will be shut down at 9 a.m. Friday, and will remain closed to traffic -- except emergency vehicles -- until the morning of Dec. 14, according to Caltrans.

SR 243 roadbed removed by 9:30 am for culvert replacement. Full 7 day closure on 243 near Lake Fulmor. Good job! #caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/Zshq3TnOZM
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) December 7, 2018

"This will be a 24-hour-a-day operation. Traffic will not be allowed to cross," Kasinga said.

She advised motorists to consider using state Route 74 in either direction, going through Palm Springs to the east, or Hemet to the west, as an alternate travel artery to reach their destinations for the next week.

More information is available at www.caltrans8.info .

— City News Service contributed to this report / Image via Caltrans