ATASCADERO — Since Tuesday, March 14, Highway 41/Morro Road has been closed due to fallen trees and a mudslide. Currently, the road closure affects both directions of the highway from Los Altos to San Gabriel Roads, which resides predominantly close to Atascadero, closest to Highway 101.

Roughly a 3-mile stretch, the highway should reopen by this coming weekend if weather and clearing of the trees and mud permits. According to CalTrans District 5, crews removed an estimated 6,000 yards of dirt from the slide and need to cut and remove another 10,000 yards of slope. Aside from trees and mud, rocks and boulders need to be moved and the hillside stabilized.

Fortunately, there are alternative routes that can be utilized in the meantime. Drivers can use Highway 46 to connect to Highway 101 and Highway 1. Caltrans expects the road to be reopened this weekend.