Caltrans Still Digging Out I-80

Too much snow for I-80

Caltrans said Monday it will take them another 48 hours to dig Interstate 80 in the Sierra out of the snow.

Caltrans area maintenance supervisor Bryan Carlson told KCRA's Brian Hickey that crews are taking advantage of the break in the weather, but it will still take time.

Some portions of I-80 have towering snow banks right up to the white line of the highway.

Carlson told Hickey he has 13 snow blowers and 20 plows working around the clock.
 
"We are widening and we're actually preparing for any possible rain that might come this weekend," said Carlson.

The snow totals in the Sierra continue to astound those keeping the figures. The California Department of Water Resources says 740 inches of snow has fallen on Donner Summit, adding this is only the fourth winter since 1879 Donner has surpassed the 700 inch mark.

NBC Bay Area meteorologist Christina Loren says the crews should have all week to clear the path because there isn't even a chance of snow in the Sierra until the end of the week.

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