**SPECIAL NOTICE **
DUE TO WEATHER PREDICTIONS OF RAIN AND SNOW WE ARE CANCELLING OUR SATURDAY WORK DAY ON FEBRUARY 6, 2010.
ALL WORKDAYS WILL REVERT BACK TO OUR NORMAL SCHEDULE OF THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE WILL SEE YOU MARCH 13, 2010 AT 9:00 a.m. AT THE RANCH HOUSE CAFÉ IN GORMAN. PLEASE ARRIVE AT 8:00 a.m. IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE BREAKFAST WITH US.
If you need additional information, please contact:
Carl Marsee (661) 242-2726 or
Harrison Scott (866) 262-7594 (Toll Free)

Current California Highway Conditions
www.dot.ca.gov/dist07
(NOT THE OLD RIDGE ROUTE )
For road conditions in California (excluding unforeseen traffic incidents) please call the Caltrans Highway Information Number at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623). By speaking the number of the route desired -- or using a touch-tone telephone and entering the highway/route number of interest, callers can get up-do-date road conditions on any highway in California . Motorists are also encouraged to tune into local radio stations for up to-the-minute freeway reports before starting out on trips.
For more information, please call the Caltrans Public Affairs office at (213) 897-3630 or 897-3656 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BUCKLE UP, WATCH SPEEDS AND SLOW FOR THE CONE ZONE. # # #

Ridge Route Status
Posted 1-18-2010 RIDGE ROUTE UPDATE, GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
(BACKGROUND) Those of you that follow the efforts of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization (RRPO), its members and volunteers are aware of our ongoing efforts to re-open California's historic highway. The winter rains of 2005 severed the road as well as petroleum, natural gas and electric lines. Angeles National Forest (ANF) arranged to have the Federal Highway Administration repair the road and repave those areas where entire sections slipped down the canyon. One petroleum line remains above ground on the road south of Swedes Cut. When this line is back in the ground the utility repairs will be complete. The road will be inspected and utility companies will be responsible for damage (if any) they may have caused.
(FAST FORWARD) Although it has been five years that the road has been closed, new concerns need to be addressed. First, although the road will be drivable given the aforementioned repairs, of greater concern are other areas of the road that have deteriorated to the extent it raises safety concerns. Currently there isn't enough money to repair those areas. Secondly, both the Ranger and the RRPO agree that if the road is “thrown open” it will NOT withstand the traffic without having a major negative impact to the historic features of the road. The Ridge Route is identified by GPS navigation systems and when I-5 is closed, it is common practice to use the Ridge Route as a by-pass. Thirdly and most critical is the fact that the planned Tejon Ranch development will severely impact the road.
The “Centennial Development” will provide 23,000 residential units and over 14 million square feet of commercial and retail space. It is the largest single development project ever proposed in California.
The “Mountain Village Development” will provide an additional 3,450 residences and up to 160,000 square feet of commercial development including various hotel, spa and resort facilities.
(WHAT NOW?) A management plan will be developed to address not only our concerns but the concerns of other organizations e. g. “The California off Road Vehicle Association,” the” California Trail Users Coalition” etc. Bottom line, the road will most likely remain closed to the public and possibly opened on a “controlled” basis. We will explore if it would be possible to allow our organization to conduct limited tours of the road while a full management plan is formulated. Although for the foreseeable future the road will be closed, the RRPO will continue to support the road with our Tumble Inn restoration as well as road and drainage work.
Harrison Scott, Pres.
Ridge Route Preservation Organization
Clean up the Ridge Route
The R idge R oute P reservation O rganization (RRPO) schedules work projects, “Clean up the Ridge Route ,” (CUTRR) along the un-maintained section of the road.
When:
The second Saturday of each month.
Where:
The Ranch House restaurant (formally The Sizzler)
49713 Gorman Post Rd. (661) 248-6040
Exit I-5 at Gorman off ramp, turn east to Gorman Post Rd.
TURN RIGHT, (Chevron Station on left, Motel on right).
The Ranch House is behind the Motel in same complex
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Work:
We will be working near the northern end of the Ridge Route at the historic Tumble Inn site where we are doing historic restoration and masonary work. Other volunteers will be clearing the road of rocks and debris which may involve working behind the locked forest service gate. Please allow ample time to arrive so you will NOT miss our departure.


Bring:
We are asking everyone to bring gloves and a sack lunch. At noon we gather for lunch. Bottled water and restroom facilities will be provided by RRPO. Santana's Pumping & Plumbing of Frazier Park is donating the use of the portable restroom. Additionally, we ask that you bring any of the assorted tools listed below including a folding chair to use at lunch time.
• Shovel, standard and scoop
• Hoe
• Rake
• Wheelbarrow
• Pruning Shears
• Pole Pruner
• Pruning Saw
• Mattock
• Gloves
Sunscreen
Safety of our volunteers is our number one priority so we ask that you wear appropriate work clothes and shoes. Workers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. We work in full compliance with Angeles National Forest and have been granted permission to extend our repairs beyond that portion of the road that is closed and “off limits” to the public.
We hope to complete this phase by 3 or 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP if you can come. If you are unable to attend this workday and would like to send a donation or become a member, please contact:
Carl Marsee, Project Manager
P. O. Box 959
Frazier Park , CA 93225-0969
CMarsee@FrazMtn.com
(661) 242-2726
Or: Harrison Scott, (866) 262-7594 (toll free)
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