IDYLLWILD – (INT) – Highway 243 connecting this San Jacinto Mountain community with Pine Cove is open again now that a 48-ton boulder has been reduced to more manageable pieces.

Caltrans announced the reopening Wednesday evening nearly 3-days after the mammoth rock loosened by recent rain and snow rolled onto the twisting mountain highway.

A specially fabricated excavator equipped with a “Stinger”, or hydraulic breaker, was brought in to break up the boulder. But, the hammer attachment broke Tuesday delaying its removal.

Removal of the smaller pieces is continuing. Repair of the indented roadway where the rock came to rest is being completed.

Story Date: January 17, 2016