Work delay continues on Highway 17

Traffic backed up for miles on Highway 17 Monday, nearly a week after a monstrous mudslide.

“Quite the mess. It’s been a disaster,” said Santa Cruz resident Zach Morton.

“A mess. Yeah, it’s been a real mess,” said Scott’s Valley resident John Powell.

The clean up was put on hold last week after a construction worker was tragically killed and another hurt while clearing up the slide. Now. Cal Osha is investigating; something that could take up to six months. However, crews are hopeful that work will resume soon.

“Cal Osha will have conversations with both the contractor, granite rock company, and Caltrans and we hoping that those discussions will lead to a scenario where will can continue operations,” said Caltrans Spokesman Jim Shivers.

Cal Osha says they are trying to complete employee interviews with workers who were on the job site when the accident happened. They also have to review safety and maintenance records.

“We are certainly anxious to get back to work but we are also very sensitive to the fact that a very careful investigation and analysis be performed,” said Shivers.

In the meantime drivers should allow for plenty of time as the busy highway turns into two lines at Granite Creek.

“We tried to take an alternate route and about an hour later we got turned around. We had to dodge about six mudslides and now we are about to get back on the 17 and sit for two more hours in traffic,” said Morton.

A tough ride for many, but commuter John Powell says he is just glad his company allows him to work from home.

“I am pretty fortunate that I get to work from home as often as I do. And when storms hit, I tend to just go into the office once a week.”