The Latest on Rock Springs Road Repairs

Priority given to Rock Springs Road repairs

First District County Supervisor Bill Postmus has directed the county's public works department to give top priority to repairing and reopening flood-damaged Rock Springs Road between Apple Valley and Hesperia.

Reconstruction work could cost $1million.

The road, a major crossing of the Mojave River, was washed out by recent heavy rains and water from upstream reservoirs.

Nearly 11,000 cars normally use the road daily. As an alternate route, traffic must use congested Bear Valley Road.

Postmus said the Federal Highway Administration denied the county's request for an "emergency opening' of Rock Springs Road because the alternate route is available.

"Plans to reconstruct the road are complete,' said Brad Mitzelfelt, the supervisor's chief of staff. "The county is awaiting approval from Caltrans that would exempt the project from environmental review.'

Meanwhile, the county also is waiting for permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, the state's Lathontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, and California Department of Fish and Game.

"Project construction cannot begin until these approvals are received,' Mitzelfelt said.